
n™ ft C // 



ISU 



EVERY MAN HIS OWN DOCTOR; 

OB, A 

TREATISE 

ON THE 

PREVENTION AND CURE OF DISEASES, 

BY 

REGIMEN AND SIMPLE MEDICINES. 
Br WILLIAM BUCHAN, M. D. 

OBO WHICH IS ADDED, 

A TREATISE ON THE 

MATERIA MEDINA ; 

IN WHICH THE 

MEDICINAL QUALITIES OE INDIGENOUS PLANTS ABE 
GIVEN AND ADAPTED TO COMMON PRACTICE. 



AN APPENDIX, 

Containing a Complete Treatise on the Art of Farriery ; with Direc- 
tions to the Purchasers of Horses ; and Practical Receipts for 
the Cure of Distempers incident to Horses, Cattle, Sheep, 
and Swine — To all of which are added, A Choice 
Collection of Receipts, useful in ever?/ branch 
of Domestic Life — Making in all a 
Complete Family Directory. 



NEW-HAVEN: 
PUBLISHED BY NATHAN WHITING. 

1810. 



^ 



5>°\ 



^ 



District of Connecticut, ss. 
r%E IT REMEMBERED, That on the thirteenth 
L. S. I -tJ day of April, in the fortieth year of the independence 



* L. S. * 

* # 



the said district, hath deposited iu this office the title of a 
book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words follow- 
ing, viz. 

" Every Man his own Doctor ; or, a Treatise on the Prevention 
M and Cure of Diseases, by Regimen and Simple Medicines. By Wil- 
" liam Buchan, M. D. To which is added, a Treatise on the Materia 
" Medica; in which the Medicinal Qualities of Indigenous Plants are 
" given and adapted to Common Practice. With an Appendix, Con- 
" tainiog a Complete Treatise on the Art of Farriery ; With Directions 
" to the Purchasers of Horses ; and Practical Receipts for the Cure of 
" Distempers incident to Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Swine—To all 
M of which are added, a Choice Collection of Receipts, useful in 
«' every branch of Domestic Life — Making in all a Complete Family 
M Directory." 

In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, en- 
titled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
copies of maps, charts, and books, to authors and proprietors of such 
copies during the limes therein mentioned," 

(Signed) HENRY W. EDWARDS, 

Clak of the District of Connecticut. 



EXTRACT OF PREFACE BY DR. BTJCHAN. 

IN the treatment of diseases, I have been peculiarly attentive to regi- 
men. The generality of people lay too much stress upon Medicioe and 
trust too little to their own endeavours. It is always in the power of the 
patient or of those about him, to do as much towards his recovery as 
can be effected by the physician. By not attending to this, the de- 
signs of mediciue are often frustrated ; and the patient, by pursuing a 
wrong plan of regimen, not only defeats the Doctors endeavours, but 
renders them dangerous. I have often known patients killed by an 
errer in regimen, when they were using very proper medicines. It 
will be said, the physician always orders the regimen when he pre- 
scribes a medicine. I wish it Were so, both for the honour of the 
faculty and the safety of their patients : but physicians, as well as other 
people, are too little attentive to this matter. . 

Though many reckon it doubtful whether physic is beneficial or 
hurtful to mankind, yet all allow the necessity and importance of a 
proper regimen in diseases. Indeed the very appetites of the sick 
prove its propriety. No man in his senses, ever imagined that a per- 
son in a fever, for example, could eat, drink, or conduct himself in the 
same manner as one in perfect health. This part of medicine, there- 
fore, is evidently founded in Nature, and is every way consistent Avith 
reason and common sense. Had men been more attentive to it, and 
Jess solicitous in hunting after secret remedies, medicine had never be- 
come au object of ridicule. 

To render this book more generally useful, however, as well as 
oiore acceptable to the intelligent part of mankind, I have in most dis- 
eases, besides regimen, recommended some of the most simple and ap- 
proved forms of medicine, and added such cautions and directions as 
seemed necessary for their safe administration. It would no doubt 
have been more acceptable to many, had it abounded with pompous 
prescriptions, aod promised great cures in consequence of their use, 
but this was not my plan ; I think the administration of medicines al- 
ways doubtful, and often dangerous, and woidd much rather teach men 
how to avoid the necessity of using them, than how they should be 
used. 

Several medicines, and those of considerable efficacy, may be ad- 
ministered with great freedom aad safety. Physicians generally trifle 
a long time with medicines before they learn their proper use. Many 
peasants at present know better how to use some of the most important 
articles in the materia medica, than physicians did a century ago ; 
*» and doubtless the same observations will hold with regard to others 
some time hence. Wherever I was convinced that medicine might 
be used with safety, or where the cure depended chiefly upoa it, I have 
riaken care to recommend it, but where it was either highly dangerous^ 
, aar mt very necessary, it is omitted . 



r RE FACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. 

IN all the Revised Edidons of Dr. Bucharfs Domestic Medicine, 
or Family i'hysiiian, none have been abie to make any iniprove- 
inui'.s on hi* system ot practice, uuicsb it has been done by way of ad- 
dition. This fact, together with the deservedly high estimation the 
Public entertain for the original work, alter die experience of many 
years ; is the best recommendation that can be given. 

In tlii:- first Edition, of Every manhii) own Doctor, the Treatise on 
the prevention and cure of Diseases, as laid down by Dr. Buchan, has 
been followed without any alteration, except the omission of some gen- 
eral observations, winch were designed, principally, for Physicians : 
anii tame artieh - v hich have become obsolete; such as the Small Pox, 
the biles cf Poisonous Animals, &c. The emission of these, has given 
room for much to be added, which has greatly enhanced the value of 
this Edition. 

It has long been the opinion of Naturalists, and men of Science, that 
there were m< dicinal pi. perties in many ol the Plnnis in this country, 
that were equal, if not superior, to the exotic drugs and medicines 
that are so much used. ]\:ueh has been dene within a few years, in 
the Bcience ol Botany ; and great discoveries have been made, which 
will be of la. -ting benefit to mankind. 

In this volume, a tieatise is given of the Materia Medica, in which 
the medicinal properties of indigenous plants, that are most generally 
known in the United States, are given, and clearly explained accord- 
ing to the latest aid most approved discoveries. The. Reader will at 
once see the advantage of such a plan, by being made acquainted with 
the virtues of the herbs that he is daiiy treading under foot ; and which 
were given fci the use of mar.; and having them described, and clas- 
sed, according to their different properties, an) person of common ob- 
servntion, need net be at a lots in most casts to know which are the 
most proper to be used. 

Id tin Appendix to this work, is also contained a valuable collec- 
ted, of Receipts an various subjects; among which will be found a 
complete s}stem oi Cookery for the sick ; and directions how to pre- 
pare all kii (Is of drinks, soups, 1 roths, wheys, &c. &c. 

Also, a highly approved Treatise on Farrier j , containing directions 
end ptactkal Receipts, in all cases ct accidents and distempers, to 
which hones, cattle, sheep, and swine are subject. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

Of the general causes of diseases, 
Of Children - Page 1 7 

Diseased Parents - - 2^1 
Clothing of Children - 23 
Food of ditto - - 26 

Exercise of ditto - - 30 
Bad effects ot unwholesome 

Air upon ditto - - 36 
Nurses - - .38 

The laborious, &c. - 41 

The Sedentary - -47 
The Studious - - 51 

Aliment - - - 56 

Air .... 71 
Exercise - - - 75 
Sleep ... 79 

Clothing - - - 81 
Intemperance - - 84 
Cleanliness - - - 83 
Infection - - 92 

the Passions - - 96 

Anger - - - ib. 

Fear ... ib. 

Grief - - - 99 

Love - - - 100 

Religious Melancholy 1 1 
the Common evacuations 102 
Stool - - ib. 

Urine - - - 103 

Perspiration - - 105 

being affected by Changes 

in the Atmosphere - ib. 
Wet Clothes - - 106 
Wet Feet - - ib. 

Night Air - - ib. 

Damp Beds - - 107 

Damp Houses - - 108 
Sudden Transitions from 
Heat to Cold - - ib. 



PART II. 

Of Diseases. 
Of the Knowledge and Cure 

of Diseases - Page 1 1 1 
Fevers in general - 114 

Intermitting Fevers or A- 

gues - - - 119 

an Acute Continual Fever 1 25 

the Pleurisy - - 129 

[ Bustard ditto - 133 

Paraphrenias - ib. 

Inflammation of the Lungs ib. 

Of Consumptions - - 135 

t) t Slow or Nervous Fever 1 44 

Malignant, Putrid or Spotted 

Fever - - - 1 43 

Miliary Fever - - 155 

Remitting Fever - - 158 
Of the Yellow Fever - 161 
Cow pox audits Inoculation 1 68 
TheMeaslef^ - - 175 
Scarlet Fever - 1 78 

Bilious ditto - 179 

St. Anthony's Fire - 180 

Inflammatici; of the Brain 184 
of'ihe Eves 187 
The Quinsey - - 190 

MaKg-ant ditto - 195 

Colds and C< ughs - - 197 
A Common Cough - 200 

Hooping Cough - - 202 

U! itnmaiiou of the Stomach 206* 
of the Intestines 207 
Of the Colic - - - 210 
^inanimation of the Kidneys 213 
of the Bladder 215 
of the Liver 216 
Of (he Chopra Morbus, & oth- 
er (■_<■■■■■: ■-"• dis< I iiifesfrom 
the Stomach and Bowels 218 



CONTENTS. 



Of a Diarrhoea, or Looseness P.220 
Vomiting - • - 222 

Disorders of the Kidneys and 

Bladder - - - 224 
Of the Diabetes or excessive 
Discharge of Urine - ib. 
Suppression of ditto - 226 
the Gravel and Stone 227 

Involuntary Discharges of Blood 

230 

Bleeding at the Nose - 232 

Bleeding and Blind Piles 234 

Spitting of Blood - - 236 

Vomiting of ditto - - 23S 

Blocdy Uriue - - 239 

Flux - - 240 

Cceliac Passion - - 244 

Of the Head-ache - 245 

Tooth-ache - 248 

Ear-ache - - "250 

Pain of the Stomach, &c. 251 

Of Worms - - - 253 

the Jaundice - - 257 

Dropsy - - 259 

Gout - - - 263 

Rheumatism - 267 

Scurvy - - 270 

Scrophula - - 274 

Itch - - - 276 

Asthma - - 278 

Apoplexy - - 281 

Of Costiveness - - 233 

Want of Appetite - - '285 

Heart-burn - - - 286 

Of Nervous diseases - 287 

Melancholy - - 291 

the Palsy - - - 293 

the Epilepsy, or Falling 

Sickness - - 295 

the Hickup - - 297 

Cramp of the Stomach 298 
the Night Mare - 298 

S*woouin«s - - ib. 

Flatulencies, or Wind 301 
Low Spirits - - 303 

Hysteric affections - 304 



Of Hypochondriac affec- 
tions - - - Page 306 
The Tetanus, or the Locked 

Jaw --.. 309 
Disorders of the Senses - 311 
of the Eye - ib. 
A Gutta Serena - - 312 
A Cataract - - - 313 
Short Sightedness - - ib. 
Seeing only at too great a dis- 
tance - ib. 
Squinting - ib. 
Spots or Specks - ib. 
Bloodshot Eye - - ib. 
Watery or Weeping Eye 314 
01 the Ear - - - ib. 
Taste and Smell - 316 
Touch - - 317 
Of a Scirrhous and Cancer 318 
Poisons - - - 322 
Mineral Poisons - 323 
Vegetable diito - - ib. 
Diseases of Women - 324 
Of the Menstrual Discharge 325 
Pregnancy - - 330 
Child birth - - 332 
Barrenness - - 337 
Diseases of Children. - 339 
Of the Meconium - - 349 
The Aphthae or Thrush - ibu 
Of Acidities - - - 341 
Galling and Excoriation 342 
Stoppage of the Nose - 343 
Of Vomiting ... j^ 
a Looseness - - 344 
Eruptions - - - 345 
The Croup or Hives - 347 
Teething - . . 349 
The Rickets - - ?50 
Convulsions - - 352 
Water in the Head - 353 
Surgery - - - 355 
Bleeding - - - ib. 
Inflammations and Abscess- 

- 357 



Wound* 



359 



UU1> J. 

Of Burns and Scalds Page 361 


jar* j. a. 

PART III. 




via 


Bruises - - - 364 


Of Indigenous Plants. 




Ulcers - - -365 


Sweet Flag - P 


agt 


:4!7 


Dislocations - - 367 


Black Snake-root 


- 


418 


Dislocation of the Jaw - ib. 


Herb Christopher - 


- 


ib. 


of the neck - 368 


Horse Chesnut 


- 


ib. 


of the Ribs - 369 


Agrimony 


- 


419 


of the Shoulder ib. 


Garlic 


- 


ib. 


of the Elbow 370 


Marsh Mallow 


- 


420 


of the Wrist and 


Andromeda Mariana 


. 


ib. 


fingers - ib. 


Sweet Fennel 


- 


421 


of the Thigh ib. 


Dill 


- 


ib. 


of the Knees ib. 


Chamomile 


- 


ib. 


of the Aucles ib. 


Bearberry * 


- 


422 


of the Toes ib. 


Burdock 


T 


423 


Of Broken Boues,^ &c. - 371 


Prickly Poppy 


- 


ib. 


Strains - - - 373 


Virginia Snake Root 


- 


ib. 


Ruptures - 374 


Common Wormwood 


- 


424 


Casualties - - - 375 


Indian Turnip 


- 


ib. 


Substances stoptbetween the 


Asa rum Canadecse 


- 


42i 


Mouth and Stomach 377 


Swailow-wort 


. 


ib. 


Drowned Persons - 380 


Silk weed, or Milk weed 




428 


Noxious Vapours - S83 


Oats 


- 


42? 


Effects of extreme Cold 335 


American Senna 


. 


ib. 


Heat 386 


Jerusalem Oak 


. 


ib. 


Of Fainting Fits, and other Ca- 


Cleome Dodecandra 


- 


423 


ses which require immediate 


Horse Radish 


- 


ib. 


Assistance - ib. 


Garden Scurvy Grass 


- 


429 


Intoxication - - 389 


Coriander 


. 


ib. 


Suffocation and Strangling 391 


Common Dogwood 


. 


ib. 


Persons who expire in Con- 


Red Willow 


. 


430 


vulsion Fits - - 392 


Wild Carrott 


. 


431 


Cautions concerning Cold Bath- 


Linn, or Skunk Cabbage 




ib. 


ing, and drinking; the Mineral 


Philadelphia Flea-Bane 




432 


Waters - - 395 


Thorough Wort 


. 


ib. 


Observations concerning Diet, 


Columbo of Marietta 


. 


438 


recommending a method of 


Virginia- Goats- rue 


. 


434 


living less expensive, and 


Mountain Tea 


- 


ib. 


more conducive to health 


Crane's Bill, or Crowfoot 




ib. 


than (he present - - 403 


Common Avens, Herb-bennet, 


General observations on Ali- 


or Tr oat-root 


. 


ib. 


ment ..... 405 


Liquorice 


. 


435 


Of Bread - - - 406 


Witch-hazel 


. 


ib, 


Boiled Grain - - 410 


Heienium Autumnale, or 




Butter - - - 433 


Sneeze-weed 


. 


ib, 


Broths acd Soups - 415 


Gold- thread 


- 


m 



viii 



CONTENTS. 



American Sanicle, or Allum- 
root - - tage 436 

The common Hop - 437 

Hydrastis Canadensis - ib. 

Hyssop - - - ib. 

Elecampane - - 438 

Butternut, or White- Walnut ib. 

Juniper - - - 439 

Common Red Cedar Tree ib. 

Common Garden Lettuce ib. 

Spicewood - - - 440 

Sassafras - - - ib. 

Lavender - - ib. 

Dandelion - - - 441 

Motherwort - - ib. 

Common Flax - - 442 

Sweet-Fern - - 2b. 

Tulip bearing Poplar - 443 

Cardinal-Flower - - ib. 

Common Mallow - - ib. 

White Horthound - ib. 

Balm - - - 444 

Spearmint - - - ib. 

Peppermint - - ib. 

Dwarf Candleberry Myrtle, or 
Bayberry - - 445 

Virginian Broom rape, or 
Cancer-root - - ib. 

Ginseng - - - ib. 

American Nightshade, or 
Garget - - - 446 

Anise - - - 447 

Plantain - - 448 

May Apple, or Mandrake ib. 

Seneka, or R.ttle Snake Root ib. 

Winter Berry, or Black Al- 
der - - 450 



Wild Cherry Tree Page 450 
Ground-Holly, or Pippsisseva 451 
Oak - - .4*2 

Celery-leaved Crowfoot ib. 

Narrow leaved Sumach 453 

Pennsylvanian ditto - ib. 

Virginian Sumach, Stag's Horn, 

or Vinegar Plant - ib. 

Currant Tree - - 454 

Black Currant - - ib. 

Red Rose - - ib. 

Damask ditto - - ib. 

Water dock - - 455 

Narrow Dock - - ib. 

Cuiltd ditto - - ib. 

Rue - - 456 

White Willow - - ib. 

Sage - - ib. 

Ground-Pink - - 457 

B!ne Scull cap, or Hooded 

Willow Herb - - ib. 
White Mustard - - 458 

Biack ditto - - ib. 

Bitter Sweet, or Woody Night 

Shade - - 459 

Wild Indigo - - ib. 

Carolina Pink - - 460 

Indian Physic - - 461 

M9rsh Rosemary, or Laven- 
der Thrift - - ib. 
Common Tansy - - 462 
Triosteum perfoliatum - ib. 
Coltsfoot - - - ib. 
American Elm - - ib. 
Common Nettle - - 464 
March Violet - - ib. 
Veratrum viride - - ib. 



INTRODUCTION 



BEFORE we enter upon the prevention or cure of diseases, it 
may not be improper to take a cursory view of the human body, 
respecting the functions immediately connected with life. So wonder- 
ful is the structure of our frame, as displayed by aintomy, that athe- 
istical persons, obdurate to every other evidence of the existence of a 
God, who created the universe, have on witnessing a dissection, been 
instantly convinced of their mistake, and have acknowledged with, 
equal astonishment and shame, that nothing less than a Being of infinite 
wisdom and power could have contrived and executed such a wonder- 
ful piece of mechanism as that of the human body. 

The primary agent in the circulation of the blood is the heart, a 
large muscle situated in the left side of the breast (thorax, or chest) and 
endowed with great irritability. In the first rudiments of animal life, 
even before the brain is formed, the punctum saliem, as it is called, 
points out the embryo heart in miniature, and marks its primaeval irri- 
tability as a sure presage of its future importance in supporting the 
vital motions. As this singular organ exhibits irritability the first, so 
it never relinquishes it till the last; whence it has been called the pri- 
mum mobile, and ultimum moriens, that is, " the first part that moves, 
and the last that dies," of the animal machine. It is observable, that 
the motion of the heart not only survives that of the organs of volun- 
tary motion, but continues a considerable time even after it is separated, 
from the body of many animals. Hence in drowning, or suffocation, 
though the pulse be imperceptible, and apparently extinguished, yet 
the heart still preserves this latent power or susceptibility of motion, 
and wants only to be gently excited by suitable means to renew its 
action. 

This organ is surrounded by the pericardium, or heart-purse, an* 
exceeding strong membrane, which covers the heart, even to its basis. 
Its uses are to keep the heart from having any friction with the lungs, 
and to contain a fluid to lubricate or moisten its surface. 

From the right ventricle or cavity of the heart, the irritability of 
which is excited into action by the circulating fluid, the blood is pro- 
pelled through the lungs, which are situated on the right and left 
side of the heart, from which they differ on appearing to be void »f h> 



U INTRODUCTION. 

ritabiiity. They are divided into two lobes, and these into more di- 
visions, three on the right side, and two oa the left. The trachea, or 
wind-pipe, descends into the lungs, and forms innumerable cells, which, 
have a communication with each other, and give the whole the appear- 
ance of a honey-comb or sponge. 

The blood, after passing through the lungs, arrives again at the 
heart, and from the left ventricle is expelled into the aorta, or great ar- 
tery; which dividing into two branches, one upwards, and the other 
downwards, distributes the blood through the. whole body; from tin, 
extremities of which it returns, by various veins, through the ascend- 
ing and (descending cava,* and is transmitted again to-the heart. 

The heart is ihe grand organ which actuates the vital functions; and 
to this purpose it is admirably fitted by its own irritability.; but it is 
necessarily supported in its action by the powerful influence of the 
nerves, which are the ultimate instruments both of motion and sensation, 
and have their ori.;i:i in the brain. 

The diaphragm cr midriff is a large broad muscle, which divides 
the thorax from the abdomen,! or belly. In its natural state, it is con- 
cave or vaulted towards the abdomen, and convex towards the thorax. J 
Ilaller calls it " the mast noble bowel next to the heart;" and, like the 
latter, it is in constant action. At the time of inspiration it approaches 
towards a plane. Besides being a muscle of inspiration, it assists in 
vomiting, and the expulsion of the fa?ces.[| From the exertion of this 
muscle likewise proceed sighing, yawning, caughing, and laughing. If 
is effected by spasms, as in the hickup, &c. It is both a muscle of 
voluntary*aud involuntary action. We may observe in this muscle 
strong characters of admirable contrivance. It separates posteriorly 
into two slips, between which the descending aorto passes. A little 
above this, and towards the left side, in the most fleshy part of the 
midriff, there is a direct opening for the passage of the (esophagus or 
.gullet. There is also on the right side a large triangular hole for the 
passage of the ascending cava. 

The gullet is composed both of longitudinal and circular fibres, but 
chiefly si-radar, much more so than the intestines ; because this has no 
foreign power to asti^t it, and because it is necessary that the food 
should make a shorter stay in the throat than in the bowels. The in- 
ner surface is a smooth membrane, well supplied with mucilage, 
Jo sheath the organ, and render the passage of the aliment or food 
easy. 

■ Cava is th< in which conveys the refluent blood to tht 

heart. 

f. Abdomen, from abdo to hide, as its contents lie hidden. 

t Qerivcdfrotn the Greek, signifying the breast. 

|| This word with chymists is used to express the ingredients aci 
sEitliug after distillation and infusion; here it means excrement. 



INTRODUCTION. 11 

^he stomach lies across the upper part of the abdomen, and is cov- 
ered by the liver; when distended it presses on the spleen. It nearly 
resembles in figure the pouch of a bag-pipe, its upper side being con- 
cave, and the lower convex. Its left end is the most capacious. On 
the left side is the entrance from the gullet; on the right is the open- 
ing, called pyloi us, by which the chyle passes into the intestines. Ii.ere 
is a circular Valve, or sphincter-muscle, which prevents a regurgita- 
tion of the aliment. The stomach has circular and longitudinal fibres, 
and its inner membrane is covered with a strong viscid mucus. 

The liver, the largest gland in the body, is situated immediately un- 
der the vaulted -cavity- of the midriff, chiefly on the right side, and 
somewhat on the left over the stomach. Exteriorly, or anteriorly, it 
is convex, inwardly it is concave ; very thick in its superior part, and 
thin in its inferior. The upper side adheres to the midriff: and it is 
fixed to this, a.nd 'the Sternum, or breast bone, by a broad ligament. 
It is also tied to the navel by a ligamentous band, which is the umbili- 
cal vein of the unborn infant, degenerated into a ligament. Both these 
bands serve to suspend it, while laying on the back, from bearing too 
much on the subjacent cava ; otherwise it might press on this important 
returning vessel, stop the circulation, and put a period to life. Dogs, 
cats, and other animals who are designed for leaping, have their liver 
divided into many distinct lobules, to prevent too great a concussion of 
the organ. The liver is the viscus or bowel which performs the secre- 
tion of the bile. 

The gall-bladder is situated under the great lobe of tire liver, a little 
to the right. In a standing posture it lies forwards and downwards . 
Its bottom is raised by a fulness, and depressed by the emptying of the 
stomach. The use of the gall-bladder is to serve as a receptacle for 
the bile. 

The intestines are destined to receive the food from the stomach, and 
after exposing the useful part of it to the lacteals, a set of extremely, 
small vessels, to convey the remainder out of the body. The intesti- 
nal canal is usually five times the length of the individual; it is curi- 
ously convoluted in 'the abdomen, and is extremely irritable. Anato- 
mists have divided tills canal, although one continued pipe, into six 
portions, three of which are termed the small intestines,* and the three 
last, the greed. In the small intestines there are numerous plaits to de- 
tain the food, and allow a larger surface for its absorption. These arc 
larger, and far more numerous near the stomach, where the food is 



* The three smaller are, the duodenum, (from its length being about 
that of the breadth of twelve fingers) jejunmn, and illium, from the 
Greek signifying to turn about, because it makes many convolutions. 

The three larger are, the caz&im, or blind gut (so called from its be- 
iag perforated at one end onlj ) the colon, signifying holloWj a -vroM 
■-&o?n the Greek, and the rectum^ or straight gut. 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

thinner, than they are towards the other extremity. At the entrance 
of (he illium into the colon, there are two very large valves, which 
prevent the regress of the faeces into the illium The cacuin and colon, 
two of the intestines towards the lower extremity, besides having strong- 
er muscular coats than the small intestines, are furnished with three 
ligamentous bands, running lengthwise on their outside, dividing their 
surfaces into three portions nearly equal. Though appearing exter- 
nally like ligaments; they are composed, in their inner structure, of 
true muscular fibres. The ligament-like bands, which in the ctccum 
and colon are collected into three portions, are spread equally over 
the surface of the rectum, or lower extremity of the intestines. This 
is a wise precaution of Mature, that no part of it may be weaker than 
auolher, lest it should give way in the efforts for expelling the faces. 
The plaits are considerably fewer in the great intestines. They have 
all an inner membrane, covered with an infinite number of arteries or 
glands, which discharge a lubricating fluid. They are furnished with 
inuscular fibres, both circular and longitudinal. 

The spleen, or milt, is situated immediately under the edge of the 
midriff, above the left kidney, and betweeu the stomach and ribs. la 
figure, it resembles a depressed oval, near twice as long as broad, and 
almost twice as broad as thick. Cheseld en informs us, that it has been 
taken from dogs without any observable inconvenience to them. Its 
use is still problematical. 

The paacreas, or sweet bread, is situated transvei sly under the stom- 
ach. Its shape resembles a dog's tongue. Along the whole length of 
it there is a duct, which terminates in the upper part of the intestines 
near the stomach. The pancreatic juice resembles the saliva, but is 
less viscid or slimy, and contains a larger proportion of the salts of the 
blood. It is probably intended for the solutiou of onr aliment. 

The Lidueys are two oval bodies, situated in the lines, contiguous to 
the two last short ribs ; the right under the liver, and the left under 
the spleen. The structure of the kidneys is curiously fitted for secu- 
ring the urine, which is canied from each of them by canals termed 
the ureters, into the bladder, the reservoir of that fluid, situated in the 
lower part of the belly. They enter the bladder near its neck, mu- 
lling for the space of an inch obliquely between its coats, and forming, 
as it were, to themselves, two valves; so that, upon the contraction of 
the bladder, the urine is directed along the urethra, which is its prop- 
er passage out of the body. 

Over the upper part of the abdomen is spread the omentum, or caul, 
consisting of two broad, thin, and transparent membranes, joined togeth- 
er by cellular texture, in the cells of which a quantity of fat is deposi- 
ted. The uses of it are to interpose between the pcritonoum,* or li- 

* Signifying near to, stretching round, or about, as pcriosieum, rcri 
earpium, near to the bone, heart, &c. 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

aing the intestines, and the stomach, to keep all these parts moist, warm, 
slippery, and to prevent their adhesion. 

Last of all comes the peritonaeum, a strong membrane, which con- 
fines, as in an enclosure, the intestines and contents of the abdomen. 

Such, in a general view, are the contents of the cavities of the breast 
and belly, which perform, respectively, the vital motions, and those 
natural functions that are subservient to the support of our frame. But 
shere remains to be mentioned another essential cavity, with its de- 
pendent system, to the primary influence of which all the other parts 
of the body are indebted for their action and energy. The cavity to 
which I allude is the skull, the receptacle of the brain. The brain is 
divided into two portions, namely, the cerebrum and cerebellum ;* the 
former situated in the upper part of the skull, and the latter under it, 
in the hind part. The brain is a soft pulpy substance, surrounded by 
two membranes; one called aura, and the other pia, matter. It has 
also a third, called arachnota, from its fineness, as being similar to a 
spider's web. It contains some sinuses, which are nothing more thai* 
large veins or receptacles for blood, and four cavities called ventricles, 
moistened, in a healthful state, with a fine vapour, which increasing 
gives rise to diseases. Like other parts of the body, it has a variety 
of arterial branches from the heart, which diffuses through its substance, 
and on the membranes. The brain is the great elaboratory, where 
the animal spirits, or nervous influences which actuate our frame, are 
supposed to receive their existence. The nature of this fluid, if really 
a fluid, has not yet been sufficiently investigated. It is certain, how- 
ever, that from this source the nerves derive their origin. These are 
white, fijem solid cords, which arise from the brain and spinal marrow, 
which is only an elongation of the brain, and are spread over every 
part of the body endowed with sensibility, by innumerable filameuts. 
Ten pair of nerves issue from the brain itself, and thirty from the 
spinal marrow. Those that go to the organs of sense are considerably 
larger than the rest, and are in part divested of their outer covering. 

Whether an immaterial and invisible Being can positively be said 
to exist in any place, it might appear presumptuous to determine ; but 
it is a prevailing opinion in physiology, that the brain is the seat of the 
soul; and the pineal gland, in the penetralia of the brain, has been as- 
signed as the sacred mansion of this immortal inhabitant. Human 
vision can discover no signs to confirm this opinion ; but the man would 
be blind, and utterly void of understanding, who could not trace through 
die whole of the animal system the most evident marks of Divine Intel- 
ligence and wisdom : of intelligence which excites admiration, and of 
wisdom beyond conception. 

* Cerebellum, the little brain as it were; both are often called thus, 
wljen the bruin is spoken ofin small animals. 



JNTRbDUCTIOX. 

The ivonderful contrivance exhibited in the human frame i = 
?iblc, still move manifest from the curious formation of the eye and car; 
of which only a very imperfect idea could he conveyed by verbal 
description. J shall therefore not attempt to delineate those admirable 
prgans: nor need I mention (he construction of the limbs; of the arms 
and legs; of the hands and feet; so nicely united with joints, aud so, 
happily supplied with muscles and tendons, with ligaments and d< rvi , 
that they are adapted tp all the various purposes of convenience awl 
utility in motion. 

I shall conclude tills imperfect sketch of the human body with a 
brief account of digestion, that important pro':' ss in the animal econo- 
my, by means of which the continual and unavoidable waste of the 
constitution is regularly supplied. 

The aliment being received into the mouth, the first operation it un- 
dergoes is to be masiicated by the action of the teeth and several mus- 
cles,. This mastication is of greater moment than is generally imagin- 
ed ; and the seed effects of it are further promoted by mixing widi the 
food a quantity of saliva, discharged from the glands of the mouth, 
and which is greatly conducive to digestion. When the food is carried 
down the gullet into the stomach, it there meets with an additional 
supply of juices, called the gastric juices, of a nature yet more effica- 
cious than the former, besides a small portion of bile. During its con- 
tinuance in the stomach, it experiences the effects of heat and muscu- 
lar action, from the coats of that organ, and the motion and warmth of 
■ he surrounding parts. It thence passes out gradually by the right ori- 
ffce of the stomach, and there meets with an additional quantity of bile 
from the gallbladder and liver, besides the pancreatic juice, or that of 
the sweet bread, of a nature similar to the saliva, but rather more 
thick, and the fluids separated by the intestines. It now receives the 
action o\' the bowel?, or the peristaltic motion, by which they churn, as 
It were, the whole maps, minutely mixing together the food, and the 
different juices, collected in the passage from the mouth. A fluid is 
now produced called chyle, which is separated from the grosser mate- 
rials, and taken up by a set of extremely small absorbent vessels called 
lactcals. These have their origin in the iuner coat of the inter-tines, 
and, passing thence, discharge themselves into a duet named the recp p- 
'taclc of the chyle, whence this fluid proceeds along the thoracic' duel, 
which terminates in the left subclavianf vein. la the passage from the 
intestines to the receptacle, there is a number of glands, which sepa? 
rate a watery liquid, for the purpose of giving t!:e chyle a thinner 
consistence. To pi event the chyle from falling back in ils progress 
through the lacteals, the construction of these vessels is admiral 
t rived. They are furnished with a number of valves, which opea 

• From thorax the breast. 

•' A term applied to any tiling under the arm-pit or shoulder. 



INTRODUCTION. 15. 

•nly forwards, and are shut by any fluid pressing backwards. From 
the subclavian vein, the chyle is poured into the biocd, and thence im- 
mediately thrown into the right auricle and ventricle* of the heart; 
from which, now mixed with the blood, it passes into the lungs. It 
undergoes in that organ a considerable change from the act of respira- 
tion. From, the lungs it proceeds through the pulmonary vein to the 
left auricle of the heart, and then into the left ventricle; whence, at 
last endowed with all the qualities of blood, it passes into the aorta, and 
is diffused universally through the frame; the wants of which it is fit- 
ted to supply by the addition of nourishing particles. Is it possible to 
contemplate this admirable mechanism without breaking forth in the 
exclamation of the Psalmist, that " we are wonderfully made ?" I may 
justly add, that considering the great variety of ways in which the hu- 
man body may be affected, both from without and within, with the ne- 
cessity for the perpetual motion of the vital powers, and the millions of 
vessels, invisible to the naked eye, through which the fluids ought to 
pass, it is a matter of real astonishment that we should subsist a single 
day. And doubtless it would be impossible, were not the machine con- 
stantly sustained by the same Almighty and Beneficent Being who 
formed it. 

* Two muscular bags, one on each side, are termed its auricles, 
from the Latin, signifying ears. 



PART I. 



OF THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASES. 



CHAPTER I. 

Of Children. 

THE better to trace diseases from their original causes, we shall 
take a view of the common treatment of mankind in the state of in- 
fancy. In this period of our lives, the foundations of a good or bad 
constitution are laid ; it is therefore of importance, that parents be well 
acquainted with the various causes which may injure the health of their 
offspring. 

It appears from the annual registers of the dead, that almost one half 
of the children born in Great Britain die under twelve years of age. 
To many, indeed, this may appear a natural evil; but on due exami- 
nation, it will be found to be one of our own creating. Were the death 
©f infants a natural evil, other animals would be as liable to die young 
as man ; but this we find is by no means the case. 

It may seem strange that man, notwithstanding his superior reason, 
should fall so far short of other animals in the management of his young; 
but our surprise will soon cease, if we consider that brutes, guided by 
instinct, never err in this respect; while man, trusting solely to art, is 
seldom right. Were a catalogue of those infants who perish annually 
by arc alone exhibited to public view, it would astonish most people. 

If parents are above taking care of their children, others must be 
employed for that purpose : these will always endeavour to recom- 
mend themselves by the appearance of extraordinary skill and address. 
By this means such a number of unnecessary and destructive articles 
have been introduced into the diet, clothing, &c. of infants, that it is no 
wonder so many of them perish. 

JSTothirsg can be more preposterous than a mother who thinks it be- 
low her to take care of her own child, or who is so ignorant as not t® 
3 



J 8 OF CHILDREN. 

know what is proper to be done for it. If we search Nature through- 
out, we caunot find a parallel to this. Every other animal is the nurse 
of its own offspring, ami they thrive accordingly. "Were the brutes to 
bring up their young by proxy, they would share the same fate with 
those of the human species. 

We mean not, however, to impose it as a task upon every mother to 
suckle her owu child. This, whatever speculative writers may al- 
lege, is in some cases impracticable, and would inevitably pvove des- 
tructive both to the mother and child. Women of delicate consti- 
tutions, subject to hysteric fits, or other nervous affections, make very 
bad nurses j* and these complaints arc now so common, that it is rare 
to find a woman of fashion free from them ; such women therefore, gup- 
posing them willing, are often unable to suckle their own children. 

Almost every mother would be in a condition to give suck, did man- 
land live agreeably to Nature ; but whoever considers how far many 
tr.others deviate from her dictates, will not be surprised to find some of 
them unable to perform that necessary office. Mothers who do not 
eat a sufficient quantity of solid food, nor enjoy the benefit of fresh air 
and exercise, can neither have wholesome juices themselves, nor afford 
proper nourishment to an infant. Hence children who arc suckled by 
delicate women, cither die young, or continue weak and sickly all their 
lives. 

When we say that mothers are not always in a condition to suckle 
their own children, we would not be understood as discouraging that 
practice. Every mother who can, ought certainly to perform so ten- 
der and agreeable an office.^ But suppose it to be out of her power, 
she may, nevertheless, be of great service to her child. The business 
of nursing is by no means confined to giving suck. To a woman who 
abounds with milk, this is the easiest part of it. Numberless other of- 

• I have known an hysteric woman kill a child, by being seized with 
a fit in the night. 

f Many advantages would arise to society, as well as to individuals, 
from mothers suckling their own children. It would prevent the temp- 
tation which poor womt'i: are laid under of abandoning their children 
to suckle those of the rich for the sake of gain ; by which means so- 
ciety loses many o( its most useful members, and mothers become in 
some sen^e the murderers of their own offspring. 1 am sure I speak 
within the truth when I say, that not one in twenty of those children 
live, who are thus abandoned by their mothers. For this reason no 
mother should be allowed to tackle another's child, till her own is eith- 
er dead, or fit to be weaned. A regulation of this kind would save 
many lives among the poorer sort, and could do no hurt to the rich, as 
most women who make good nurses are able to suckle two childn c 
succession upon the same Bulk. 



OF CHILDREN. 12 

Sees are necessary for a child, which the mother ought at least ;o see 
done. 

A mother who abandons the fruit of her womb, as soon as it is born, 
to the sole care of an hireling, hardly deserves that name. A child by 
being brought up under the mother's eye, not only secures her ail'ec- 
tioo, but may reap all the advantages of a parent's care, though it be 
suckled by another. How can a mother be better employed than in 
superintending the nursery ? This is at once the most delightful and im- 
portant office ! yet the most trivial business or insipid amusements are 
often preferred to it ! A strong proof both of the bad taste and wrong 
education of modern females. 

It is indeed to be regretted, that more care is not bestowed in teach- 
ing the proper management of children to these whom Nature has de- 
signed for mothers. This, instead of being made the principal, is sel- 
dom considered as any part of female education. Is it any wonder, 
when females so educated come to be mothers, that they should be quite 
ignorant of the duties belonging to that character ? However strange 
it may appear, it is certainly true, that many mothers, and those of 
fashion too, are as ignorant, when they have brought a child into the 
world, of what is to be done for it, n.s the infant itself. Indeed, the 
most ignorant of the sex are generally reckoned the most knowing in 
the business of nursing. Hence sensible people become the dupes of 
ignorance and superstition; and the nursing of children, instead of bas- 
ing conducted by reason, is the result of whim and caprice.* 

Were the time that is generally spent by females in the acquisition 
of trifling accomplishments, employed in learning how to bring up their 
children ; how to dress them so as not to hurt, cramp, or confine their 
motions ; how to feed them with wholesome and nourishing food ; how 
to exercise their tender bodies, so as best to promote their growth and 
strength : were these made the objects of female instruction, mankind 
would derive the greatest advantages from it. But while the education 
of females implies little more than what relates to dress ancf public 
show, we have nothing to expect from them but ignorance even in the 
most important concerns. 

Hid mothers reflect on their own importance, and lay it to heart, 
they would embrace every opportunity of informing themselves of the 
duties which they owe to their infant offspring. It is their province, 

* Tacitus, the celebrated Roman historian, complains greatly of the 
degeneracy of the Roman ladies in his time, with regard to the care of 
their offspring. He says that, in former times, the greatest women in 
Rome used to account it their chief glory to keep the house and attend 
their children ; but that now the young infant was committed to the sole 
«are of some poor Grecian wench, or other menial servant. — We are 
afraid, wherever luxury and effeminacy prevail, tiiere will be loo much 
ground for this complaint. 



20 OF CHILDREN, 

wot only to form the body, but also to give the mind Its most early bis?. 
They have it very much in their power to make men healthy or vale- 
tudinary, useful in life, or the pests of society. 

But the mother is not the only person concerned in the management 
of children. The father has an equal interest in their welfare, and 
ought to assist in every thing that respects either the improvement of 
the body or mind. 

It is a pity that the men should be so inattentive to this matter. 
Their negligence is one reason why females know so little of it. Wo- 
men will ever be desirous to excel in such accomplishments as recom- 
mend them to the other sex. But men generally keep at such a dis- 
tance from even the smallest acquaintance with the affairs of the nurse- 
ry, that many would reckon it an affront, were they supposed to know 
any thing of them. Not so, however, with the kennel or the stable? : 
a gentleman of the first rank is not ashamed to give directions concern- 
ing the management of his dogs or horses, yet would blush Averc he sur- 
prised in performing the same office for that being who derived its ex- 
istence from himself, who is the heir of his fortunes, and the future hope 
of his country. 

Nor have physicians themselves been sufficiently attentive to the 
management of children : this has been generally considered as the 
sole province of old women, while men of the first character in physic, 
■Slave refused to visit infants even when sick. Such conduct in the fac- 
ulty has not only caused this branch of medicine to be neglected, but 
has also encouraged the other sex to assume an absolute title to pre- 
scribe for children in the most dangerous diseases. The consequence 
is, that a physician is seldom called till the good women have exhaust- 
ed all their skill; when his attendance can only cerve to divide the 
blame, and appease the disconsolate parents. 

Nurses should do all in their power to prevent diseases - ; but when a 
child is taken ill, some person of skill ought immediately to be consult- 
ed. The diseases of children are generally acute, and the least delay 
is dangerous. 

Were physicians more attentive to the disease? of infants, they would 
net only be better qualified to treat them properly when sick, but like- 
wise to give useful directions tor their management when well. The 
diseases of children are by no means so difficult to be understood as 
many imagine. It is true, children cannot tell their complaints ; but 
the causes of them may be pretty certainly discovered by observing 
the symptoms, and putting proper questions to the nurses. B< sides., 
the diseases of infants being less complicated, are easier cured than those 
of adults.* 

* The common opinion, that the diseases of infants are hard to dis- 
cover and difficult to cure, has deterred rr?ny physicians from paying 
that attention fo them which they deserve. • r ?n. however, from ex- 



OF CHILDREN. 2) 

It is really astonishing, that so little attention should in general be 
paid to the preservation of infants. What labour and expense are dai- 
ly bestowed to prop an old tottering carcase for a few years, while 
thousands of those who might be useful in life, perish without being re- 
garded ! Mankind are too apt to value tilings according to their pres- 
ent, not. their future usefulness. Though this is of all others the most 
erroneous method of estimation; yet upon no other principle is it possi- 
ble to account for the general iudifferense with respect to the death of 
infants. 

Of Diseased Parents. 

One great source of the diseases of children is, the UnheaUhine&s 
of Parents. It would be as reasonable to expect a rich crop from a 
barren soil, as that strong and healthy children should be born of pa- 
rents whose constitutions have been worn out with intemperance and 
disease. 

An ingenious writer f observes, that on the constitution of mothers 
depends originally that of their offspring. JXo one who believes this, 
will be surprised, on a view of the female world, to find diseases and 
death so frequent among children. A delicate female, brought up with- 
in doors, an utter stranger to exercise and open air, who lives on tea 
and other slops, may bring a child into the world, but it will hardly be 
fit to live. The first blast of disease will nip the tender plant in the 
bud : or should it struggle through a few years of existence, its feeble 
frame, shaken with convulsions from every trivial cause, will be unable 
to perform the common functions of life, and prove a burden to society. 

If to the delicacy of mothers, we add the irregular lives of fathers, 
we shall see further cause to believe that children are often hurt by the 
constitution of their parents. A sickly frame may be originally indu- 
ced by hardships and intemperance, but chiefly by the latter. It is 
impossible that a course of vice should not spoil the best constitution : 
and did the evil terminate here, it would be a just punishment for the 
folly of the sufferers : but when once a disease is contracted and rivited 
in the habit, it is entailed on posterity. What a dreadful inheritance 
is the gout, the scurvy, or the king's evil, to transmit to our offspring! 
how happy had it been for the heir of many a great estate, had he 
been born a beggar, rather than to inherit his father's fortunes, at the 
expense of inheriting his diseases ! 

A person labouring under any incurable malady, ought not to marry. 
He thereby not only shortens his own life, but transmits misery to 

perience declare, that this opinion is without foundation; and that the 
diseases of infants are neither so difficult to discover, nor so ill to cure, 
as those of adults, 
| Rosseau,. 



•21 OF CHILDREN. 

others; but when both parties are deeply tainted with the scrophuia. 
the scurvy, or the like, the effects must still be worse. If such have 
any issue, they must be miserable indeed. Want of atteution to these 
things, in forming connections for life, has rooted out more families than 
plague, famine, or the sword; and as long as these connections are 
formed from mercenary views, <he evil will be continued.* 

In our matrimonial contracts, it is amazing so little regard is had to 
the health and form of the object. Our sportsmen know that the gene- 
rous courfcr cannot be bred out of the foundered jade, nor the saga- 
cious spauiel out of the snarling cur. Tiiis is settled upon immutable 
laws. The mau who marries a woman of a sickly constitution, and de- 
scended of unhealthy parents, whatever his views may be, cannot be 
said to act a prudent part. A diseased woman may prove fertile ; 
should this be the case, the family must become an infirmary : what 
prospect of happiness the father of such a family has, we shall leave 
any one to judge.f 

Such children as have the misfortune to be borne of diseased parents, 
will require to be nursed with greater eare than others. This is die 
only way to make amends for the defects of constitutioa ; and it will 
often go a great length. A healthy nurse, wholesome air, and suffi- 
cient exercise, will do wonders. But when these are neglected, little 
is to be expected from any other quarter. The defects of constitution 
cannot be supplied by medicine. 

Those who inherit any family disease ought to be very circumspect 
in their manner of living. They should consider well the nature of 
such diseascr, and guard against it by a proper regimen. It is certain, 
that family diseases have often, by proper care, been kept oil' for one 
generation; and there is reason to believe, that, by persisting in the 
same course, such diseases might at length be wholly eradicated. This 
is a subject very little regarded, though of the greatest importance, 
family constitutions are as capable of improvement as family estates, 
and the libertine who impairs the one, does greater injury to his poster- 
ity, than the prodigal who squanders away the other. 

* The Lacedemonians condemned their king Archidamus for hav- 
ing married a weak puny woman ; because, said they, instead of 
propagating a race of heroes, you will fill the throne with a progeny 
of changelings-. 

-j- The Jews, by their laws, were, in certain cases, forbid to have any 
mr.nner of commerce with the diseased; arid indeed to this all wise le- 
gislators ought to hare a special regard. Jn ?ome countries, diseased 
persons have actually been forbid to marry. This is an evil of a com- 
plicated kin:', a natural deformity, and political nv.schief ; and there- 
fore requires z public consideration. 



OF CHILDREN. 23 

Of Ihc Clothing of Children. 

■ The .clothing of an infant is so simple a matter, that it is sutrpnsin* 
liow many persons should err in it; yet many children lose their lives, 
and others are deformed, by inattention to this article. 

Nature knows no use of clothes to an infant, but to keep it warm. 
All that is necessary for this purpose, is to wrap it in a soft loose cov- 
ering. Were a mother left to the dictates of nature alone, she would 
certainly pursue this course. But the business of dressing an infant 
has long been out of the hands of mothers, and has at last become a se- 
cret which none but adepts pretend to understand. 

From the most early ages it has been thought necessary, that a wo- 
man in labour should have some person to attend her. This in time, 
became a business; and, as in all others, those who were employed in 
it strove to outdo one another in the different branches of their profes- 
sion. The dressing of a child came of course to be considered as the 
midwife's province, who no doubt imagined, that the more dexterity 
she could show in this article, the more her skill would be admired. 
Hev attempts were seconded by the vanity of parents, who, too often 
desirous cf making a show of the infant as soon as it was born, were 
ambitious to have as much finery heaped upon it as possible. Thus it 
came to be thought as necessary for a midwife to excel in bracing and 
dressing an infant, as for a surgeon to be expert in applying bandages 
to a broken limb ; and the poor child, as soon as it came into the world, 
had as many rollers and wrappers applied to its body, as if every bone 
had been fractured in the birth : while these were often so tight, as 
not only to gall and wound its tender frame, but even to obstruct the 
motion of the heart, lungs, and other organs necessary for life. 

In most parts of Britain, the practice of rolling children with s.> 
many bandages is now, in some, measure, laid aside; but it would still 
be a difficult task to persuade the generality of mankind, that the 
shape of an infant does not entirely depend on the care cf the midwife. 
So far, however, are all her endeavours to mend the shape from being 
successful, that they constantly operate the contrary way, and mankind 
become deformed in proportion to the means used to prevent it. How little 
deformity of body is to be found among uncivilized nations ? So little 
indeed, that it is vulgarly believed they put all their deformed child- 
ren to death. The truth is, they hardly know such a thing as a de- 
formed child. Neither should we, if we followed their example. 
Savage nations never think of manacling their children. They allow 
them the lull nse of every organ, carry them abroad in the open air, 
wash their bodies daily in cold water, &c. By this management, their 
children become so strong and hardy, that by the time our puny in- 
fants get oat of die uurte's arms, theirs are able to shift for themselves.* 



* A friend of mine, who was several years on the coast of Africa, 



l\ of Children. 

Among brute animals no art is necessary to procure a fine shape. 
Though many of them are extremely delicate when they come into the 
world, yet We never find them grow crooked for want of swaddling 
hands. Is Nature less generous to the humau kind ? No : but we take 
the business out of Nature's hands. 

Not only the analogy oi' other aniaials, but the very feeliugs cf in- 
fants tell us, they ought to be kept easy and free from all pressure- 
They cannot indeed tell their complaints ; but they can shew signs of 
pain : and this they never fail to do, by crying when hurt by their 
clothes. No sooner are they freed from their bracings, than they seem 
pleased and happy : yet, strange infatuation ! the moment they hold 
their peace, they are again committed to their chains. 

if we consider the body of an infant as a bundle of soft pipes, replen- 
ished with fluids in continual motion, the danger of pressure will ap- 
pear iu the strongest light. Nature, in order to make way for the 
growth of children, has formed their bodies soft and flexible; and lest 
they should receive any injury from pressure in the womb, has sur- 
rounded Ihe foetus every where with fluids. This shews the care 
which Nature takes to prevent all unequal pressure on the bodies of 
infants, and co defend them against every thing that might in the least 
cramp or confine their motions. 

Even the bones of an infant are so soft and cartilaginous, that they 
readily yield to the slightest pressure, and easily assume a bad shape, 
which can never after be remedied. Hence it is, that so many people 
appear with high shoulders, crooked spines, and flat breasts, who were 
as well proportioned at their births as others, but had the misfortune 
to be squeezed out ofbhapeby the application of stays and bandages. 

Pressure, by obstructing the circulation, likewise prevents the equal 
distribution of nourishment to the different parts of the body, by which 
means the growth becomes unequal. Oue part grows too large, while 
another remains too small; and thus in time the whole frame becomes 
disproportionate and misshapen. To this we must add, that when a 
child is cramped in its clothes, it naturally shrinks from the part that is 
hurl ; and by putting its body iuto unnatural postures, it becomes de- 
formed by habit. 

Deformity of body may indeed proceed from weakness or disease ; 
but in genera!, it is the effect of improper clothing. Nine-tenths, at 
least* of the deformity among mankind, must be imputed to this cause. 
A deformed body is not only disagreeable to the eye, but by a bad 
figure both the animal and vital functions must be impeded, and of 
course health impaired. Hence few people remarkably misshapeu are 

tells me, that the natives neither put any cloths upon their children' 
nor apply to their bodies bauduges of any kind, but lay them on a pal" 
let, and suffer them to tumble about at pleasure, yet they are all straight' 

''ja have any disease. 



OF CHILDREN. 25 

strong end healthy. The new motions which commence at the birth, as 
the circulation of the whole mass of blood through the lungs, respiration, 
the peristalic motion, Sic. afford another strong argument for keeping the 
body of an infant free from all pressure. These orgaus, not having been 
accustomed to move, are easily stopped ; but when this happens, death 
must ensue. Hardly any method could be devised more effectually to 
stop these motions, than braciug the body too tight with rollers* and ban- 
dages. Were these to be applied in the same manner to the body of an 
adult for an equal length of time, they would hardly fail to hurt the 
digestion and make him sick : how much more hurtful they must prove 
to the tender bodies of infants, we shall leave any one to judge. 

Whoever considers these things will not be surprised, that so many 
children die of convulsions soon after the birth. These fits are gene- 
rally attributed to some inward cause ; but in fact they oftener pro- 
ceed from our own imprudent conduct. I have known a child sei- 
zed with convulsion fits soon after the midwife had doae swaddling it, 
who, upon taking off the rollers and bandages, was immediately relie- 
ved, and neyer had the disease afterwards. Numerous examples of 
this might be given, were they necessary. 

It would be safer to fasten the clothes of an infant with strings than 
pins, as these often gall and irritate their tender skins, and occasion dis- 
orders. Pins have been found sticking above half an inch into the body 
of a child, after it had died of convulsion fits, which in all probability 
proceeded from that cause. 

Children are not only hurt by the tightness ot their clothes, but also 
by the quantity. Every child has some degree of fever after the birth ; 
and if it be loaded with too many clothes, the fever must be increased. 
But this is not all ; the child is generally laid in bed with the; mother, 
who is often likewise feverish ; to which we may add the heat of the 
bed-chamber, the wines, and other heating things, too frequently given 
to children immediately after the birth. When all these are combined, 
which dees hot seldom happen, they must increase the fever to such a 
degree as will endanger the life of the infant. 

The danger of keepiag infants too hot will further appear, if we con- 
sider that, after they have been for some time in the situation before- 
mentioned, they are often sent into the country to be nursed in a cold 
house. Is it any wonder, if a child, from such a transition, catches 
a mortal cold, or contracts some other fatal disease ? When aD infant is 
kept too hot, its lungs, not being sufficiently expanded, are apt to re- : 
main weak aad flaccid for life 5 hence proceed coughs, consumptions 
and other diseases of the breast. 

- * This is by no means inveighing against a thing that does not hap- 
pen. In many parts of Britain at this day, a roller eight or ten feet 
lb length, is applied tightly round the child's body as soon as it is bora, 
A 



19 OF CHILDREN. 

It would answer little purpose to specify the particular spociea gP 
dress proper for an infant. These will always vary in different coun- 
tries, according to custom and the humour of parents. The great rule 
to be observed is, T/tat a child have )io more clothes than are necessa- 
ry to keep it warm, and that thty he quite easy for its body. 

Stays are the very baae of infants. A volume would not suffice to 
point out ail the b^ul effects of this ridiculous piece of dress both on 
children and adults. The madness in favour of stays seems however, 
to be fiftmewhat' abated; and it is to be hoped the world will, in time, 
become v, he enough to knoTS, that the human shape does not solely de- 
pend upon whale-bone and bend leather.*' 

I shall only add with respect to the clothe? of children, fhaithey 
ought to be kept thoroughly clean. Children perspire more than ad- 
opts : and if their clothes be not frequently chauged, they become very 
hurtful. .Dirty clothe? not only gall and fret the tender- skins of infants, 
but likewise occasion ill smells ; and what is worse, tend to produce 
vermin and cutaneeus diseases. 

Cleanliness is not only agreeable to lhe>ey-e, bat tends greatly topre- 
serve the health of children. It promotes the perspiration, and, by that 
means, frees the body from superfluous humours, which, if retained, 
could net fait to occasion diseases. No mother or nurse can have any 
excuse for allowing a child to be dirty. Poverty may oblige her to 
r;ve it coarse clothes ; but if biie does not keep them clean, it must be 
her owa fault,. 

Of the Food of Children. 

Nature not only points out the fond proper for an infant, but actaaf- 
fy prepares it. This however, is not sufficient to prevent some who 
k th< mselves wiser than Nature, from attempting to bring up their 
ren without her provision. Nothing can shew the disposition 
Which mankind ha*, e to depart from Nature more than their endeav- 
ouring to bring up children without the breast The mother's milk, 
«r that of a healthy curse, is- unquestionably the best foad for an infant. 
Neither art nor nature can afford a proper substitute for it. Childreu 
may seem to thrive for a few months without the breast; but when 



''"Stays made of bend leather are worn by all the women of lower 
station in many parts of England. 

I am sorry to understand, that there are still mothers mad enough to 
lace their daughters very tight in order to improve their shape. A* 
reasoning would be totally lost upon such people, T shall beg leave jusi to 
ask tUem, Why there are ten deformed women for one man? and like- 
wise to recommend to their perusal a short moral precept, whh 
bids us to Dtroax the human eody. 



OF CHILDREN 27 

feethiug, tlie smallpox, and other diseases incideut to childhood, come 
>on, tiiey generally perish. 

A child, soon after the birth, shews an inclination to suck ; and there 
is no reason why it should not be gratified. It is true, the niother's 
milk, does not always come immediately after the birth; but this is the 
way to bring it: besides, the first milk that the child can squeeze out 
of the breast answers the purpose of cleansing, better than all the drugs 
in the apothecary's shop, and at the same time prevents inflammations 
of the breast, fevers, and other diseases incident to mothers. 

It is strange how people came to think that the first thing given to a 
child should be drugs. This is beginning with medicine by limes, and 
no wonder if they generally end with it. It sometimes happens, indeed, 
that a child does not discharge the meconium so soon as could be wish- 
ed; this has induced physicians, in such cases, to give something of an 
opening nature to cleanse the first passages. Midwives have improved 
upon this hint, aud never fail to give syrups, oils, &c. whether they be 
necessary or not. Cramming an infant with such indigestible stuff as 
^oon as it is born, can hardly fail to make it sick, and is more likely to 
occasion diseases than to prevent them. Children are seldom long af- 
ter the birth without having a passage both by stool and urine; though 
these evacuations may be wanting for some time without any danger. 
But if children must have something before they be allowed the breast, 
let it be a little thin water pap, to winch may be added an equal quan- 
tity of new milk ; or rather water alone, with the addition cf a little 
raw sugar. If this be given without any wines orspiceries, it will nei- 
ther heat the blood, load the stomach, nor occasion gripes. 

Upon the first sight of an infant, almost every person is struck with 
the idea of its being weak, feeble, and wanting support. This natur- 
ally suggests the need of cordials. Accordingly wines are universally 
mixed with the first food of children. Nothing can be more fallacious 
than this way of reasoning, or more 'hurtful to infants than the conduct 
founded upon it. Children require very little food for some time after 
the birth ; and what they receive should be thin, weak, light, and of 
a cooling quality. A very small quantity of wine is sufficient to heat 
and inflame the blood of an infant ; but every person conversant in these 
matters must know, that most of the diseases of infants proceed from 
the heat of their humours. 

If the mother or nurse has enough of milk, the child will need little 
or oo food before the third or fourth month. It will then be proper to 
give it, once or twice a day, a little of some food that is easy of digest- 
ion, as water-pap, milk- pottage, weak broth with bread in it, and such 
like. This will ease the mother, will accustom the child by degrees to 
take food, and will render the weaning both lese difficult and less dan- 
gerous. All great and sudden transitions are to be avoided in nursing, 
For this purpose, the food of children ought not only to be simple, but 
?o resemble, asaearly as possible, the properties of milk. Indeed milfc 



P OP CinlDRExV. 

itself should make a principal part of their food, not only before ihfy 
are weaned, but for some time after. 

Next to milk, -we would recommend good light bread. Bread mar 
be given to a child as soon as it shews an inclination to chew ; and it 
way at all times be allowed as much piaiu bread as it will eat. The 
very chewing of bread will pfio Le the' cutting of the teeth, and the 
discharge of saliva, while by mixing with the nurse's milk in the stom- 
ach, it will afford an excellent nourishment. Children discover an ear- 
ly inclination to chew Arhatevcr is put into their hands. Parents ob- 
serve the inclination, btit generally mistake the object. Instead oi giv- 
ing the child something which may at odcC exercise its gums and af- 
ford it nourishment, they commoohj put into its hands a piece of hard 
metal, or impenetrable coral. A crust ot bread is the best gum stick. 
It net only answers the purpose better than any thing else, but has the 
additional properties of nourishing the child aud carrying the saliva 
down to the stomach, which is too valuable a liquor to be lost. 

Bread, besides being used dry, may be many ways prepared into 
food for children. Our of the best methods is to boil it injvaier, af- 
terwards pouring the. water off, and mixing with the bread a proper 
quantity of new milk unboiled. Milk is bolh more wholesome and 
nourishing this way than boiled, and is less apt to occasion costiveness. 
For a child further advanced, bread may be mixed in veal or chickec 
broth, made into puddings or the like. Bread is a proper food for chil- 
dren at ail times, provided it be plain, made of wholesome grain, and 
well fermented ; but when enriched with traits, sugars, or such things, 
it becomes ve-rpTtajtfhplesonie;. 

It is soon enough to allow children animal food when they have got 
teeth to eat it. They should never taste it till after they are weaned, 
and even then they ought to use it sparingly. Indeed, when children 
live wholly on v^etable food, it is apt to sour on their stomachs ; but, on 
the other hand, .'on much flesh heats the body, and occasions fevers 
and other inflammatory diseases. This plainly points out a due mixt- 
ure of animal and vegetable food as most proper for children. 

Few things prove more hurtful to infants than the common method 
of sweetening their food. It entices them to take more than they ought 
to do, which makes them grow fat aud bloated. It is pretty certain, 
if the food of children were quite plain, that they would never take more 
than rnoM;;h Their excesses are entirely owing to nurses. If a 
child be gorged with food at all hours, and eniiced to take it, by ma- 
king it ^weet and agreeable to the palate, is it any wonder that such a 
child should in time be induced to crave more food than it ought to 
■ have ? 

Children may be hurt by too little a? well ;:s too much food. After 
a child is weaned, it ought to he fed four or 6ve tirr.es a day ,; but should 
never be accustomed to est in the night; neither should it have too 
-touch at a time. Children thrive bc?t with small ouantities of foo$ 



OF CHILDREN. 29 

frequently given. This neither overloads the stomach nor hurts the 
digestion, and is certainly most agreeable to nature. 

Writers on nursing have inveighed with such vehemence against giv- 
ing children too much food, that many parents, by endeavouring to shun 
that error, have run into the opposite extreme, and ruined the consti- 
tutions of their children. But the error of pinching children in their 
food is more hurtfal than the other extreme. Nature has many ways 
of relieving herself when overcharged ; but a child, who is pinched 
with hunger, will never become a strong or healthy man. That errors 
are frequently committed on both sides, we are ready to acknowledge; 
but where one child is hurt by the quantity of its food, ten suffer from 
the quality. This is the principal evil, and claims our strictest atten- 
tion. 

Many people imagine, that the food which they themselves love, can- 
not be bad for their children: but this notion is very absurd. In the 
more advanced periods of life we often acquire an inclination for food, 
which when children we could not endure. Besides, there are many 
things that by habit may agree very well with the stomach of a gro-vvu 
person, which would be hurtful to a child ; as high-seasoned, salt, and 
smoke-dried provisions, &c. It would also be improper to feed chil- 
dren with fat meat, strong broths, rich soups, or the like. 

All strong liquors are hurtful to children. Some parents teach their 
ehildren to guzzle ale, and other fermented liquors, at every meal. Such 
a practice cannot fail to do mischief. These children seldom escape 
the violence of the small pox, measles, hooping-cough, or some inflam- 
matory disorder. Milk, water, butter-milk, or whey, are the most 
proper for children to drink. If they have any thing stronger, it may 
be fine small beer, or a little wine mixed with water. The stomach of 
children can digest well enough without the assistance of w*nn stimu- 
lants ; besides, being naturally hot, they are easily hurt by every thing 
of a heating quality. 

Few things are more hurtfal to children than unripe fruits. They 
weaken the powers of digestion, and sour and relax the stomach, by 
which means it becomes a proper nest for insects. Children indeed 
show a great inclination lor fruit, and I am apt to believe, that if good 
ripe fruit were allowed them in proper quantity, it would have no bad 
effects. We never find a natural inclination wrong, if properly regu- 
lated. Fruits are generally of a cooling nature, and correct the heat 
and acrimony of the humours. This is what most children require 5 
only care should be taken lest they exceed. Indeed the best way to 
prevent children from going to excess in the use of fruit, or eatiDg that 
which is bad, is to allow them a proper quantity of what is good.* 

* Children are always sickly in the fruit season, which may be thus 
accounted for. Two thirds of the fruit which comes to market in this 
country is really unripe, and children not being in a condition to judge 



&u OP CHILDREN. 

Roets which contain a crude viscid juice should be sparingly givec 
io children. They fill the body with gross humours, and teDd to pro- 
duce eruptive diseases. This caution is peculiarly necessary for the 
poor; glad to obtain at a small price what will fill the bellies of their 
children, they stuff them two or three limes a day with crude vegeta- 
bles. Child ten had better eat a smaller quantity of food which yields 
a wholesome nourishment, than be crammed with what their digestive 
powers are unable properly to assimilate. 

Butter ought likewise to be sparingly given to children. It both 
relaxes the stomach, and produces gross humours. Indeed, most things 
that ace fat or oily have this effect. Butter when salted becomes stijl 
more hurtful. Instead of butter, so liberally given to children in most 
parts cf Britain, we would recommend hooey. Hooey is not only whole- 
some, but cooling, cleansing, and tends to sweeten the humours. Chil- 
dren who eat hone)' are seldom troubled with worms : they are also 
Hess subject to cutaneous diseases, as itch, scabbed head, Arc- 
Many persons err iu thinking that the diet of children ought to be al- 
together moist. When children live entirely upon slops, it relaxes 
their solids, renders them weak, and disposes them to the rickets, scro- 
phula, and other glandulai disorders. Relaxation is one of the most 
general causes of the diseases of children. Every thing therefore which 
tends to unbrace their solids, ought to be carefully avoided. 

We would not be understood by these observations as confining chil- 
dren to any particular kind of food. Their diet may be frequently va- 
ried, provided always that sufficient regard be had to simplicity. 

■Of the Exercise of Children. 

Of all the caases which conspire to render the life of m?m short and 
miserable, none have greater influence than the want of proper Exer- 
cise : Healthy parents, wholesome food, and proper clothing, will avail 
little, where exercise is neglected. Sufficient exercise will make up 
for several defects in nursing; but nothing can supply the want of it. 
It is absolutely necessary to the health, the growth, and the strength of 
childres. 

The desire of exercise is coeval with life itself. Were this principle 
attended to, many diseases might be prevented. But while indolence 
and sedentary employments prevent two thirds of mankind from either 
taking sufficient exercise themselves, or giving it to their children, what 
have we to expect but diseases and deformity amongtheir offspring ? The 
Tickets, so destructive to children, never appeared in Britain until nian- 

for themselves, eat whatever they can lay their hands upon, which of- 
ten proves little better than poison to their tender bowels. Servants, 
and others who have the care of children, should be strictly forbid to 
give them any fruit without the knowledge of their parents. 



6F CHILDREN". 31: 

ttfactures began to flourish, and people, attracted by the love of gain, 
left the country to follow sedentary employments in great towns. It is 
amongst these people that this disease chiefly prevails, and not only 
deforms but kills many of their offspring. 

The conduct of other young animals shews the propriety of giving ex- 
crcise to children. Every other animal makes u?e of its organs of mo- 
tion as soon as it can, and many of them, even when under no neces- 
sity of moving in quest of food, cannot be restrained without force. 
This is evidently the case with the calf, the lamb, and most other young 
animals. If these creatures were not permitted to frisk about and take 
exercise, they would soon die or become diseased. The same inclina- 
tion appeal's very early in the human species ; but as they are notable 
to take exercise themselves, it is the business of their parents and nurses 
to assist them. 

Children may be exercised , various ways. The best method, while 
they are light, is to carry them about in the nurse's arms.* This gives 
the nurse an opportunity of talking to the child, and of pointing out every 
thing that may please and delight its fancy. Besides, it is much safer 
than swinging an infant in a machine, or leaving H to the care of such 
as are not fit to take care of themselves. JSbthing can be more absurd 
than to set one child to keep another ; this conduct has proved fatal to 
many infants, and has rendered others miserable for life. 

When- children begin to walk, the safest and best method of leading 
them about is by the hands. The common way, of swingieg them in 
leading strings, fixed to their backs, has several bad consequences. It 
makes them throw their bodies forward, and press with their whole 
weight upon the stomach and breast ; by this menus the breathing is ob- 
structed, the breast flattened, and the bowels compressed ; which must 
hurt the digestion, a;jd occasion consumptions of the Jungs aud other dis- 
eases. 

Ft is a common notion, that if children are set upon -their feet too soon, 
their legs will become crooked. There is reason to believe, that the 
very reverse of this is true. Every member acquires strength in pro- 
portion as it is exercised. The limbs of children are weak indeed, but 
their bodies are proporiionably light ; and had they skill to direct thein- 
serve?, they would soon be able to support their own weight. Whoever 
heard of any other animal that became crooked by using its legs toe» 
soon ? Indeed, if a child is not permitted to make any use of its legs till 
a considerable time after the birth, and be then set upon them with its- 
whole weight at once, there may be some danger; but this proceeds 



1 '.fhe nurse ought to be careful to keep the child in a proper position ; 
as deformity is often the consequence of inattention to this circumstance, 
Its situation ought a<?o to bs frequently changed. I have known a child's 
kg bent all oneaesidc, bv the nurse carrvi:ig itcons'antlv on one arm-.. 



32 OF CHILDREN. 

entirely from the child'ts not having been accustomed to use its legs from 
the beginning. 

Mothers of the poorer sort think they are great gainers by making 
their children lie or sit while they themselves work. In this they 
greatly mistake. By neglecting to give their children exercise, they 
are obliged to keep them a long time before they can do any tiling for 
themselves, and to spend more on medicine than would have paid im- 
proper care. 

To take care of their children, is the most useful business in which 
even the poor can be employed; but alas! it is not always in their 
power. Poverty often obliges them to neglect their offspring in order 
to procure the necessaries of life. "When this is the case, it becomes 
the interest as well as the duty of the public to assist them. Ten thou- 
sand times more benefit would accrue to the state, by enabling the 
poor to bring up their own children, than from all the hospitals* that 
ever can be erected for that purpose. 

Whoever considers the structure of the human body will soon be 
convinced of the necessity of exercise for the health of children. The 
body is composed of an infinite number of tubes, whose fluids cannot 
be pushed on without the action and pressure of the muscles. But, if 
the fluids remain inactive, obstructions must happen, and the humours 
will of course be vitiated, which cannot fail to occasion diseases. Na- 
ture has furnished both the vessels which carry the blood and lymph 
with numerous valves, in order that the action of every muscle might 
push forward their contents; but without action, this admirable contri- 
vance cau have no effect. This part of the animal economy proves t© 
■a demoastration the necessity of exercise for the preservation of health. 
Arguments to show the importance of exercise might be drawn from 
every part of the animal economy ; without exercise, the circulation of 
the blood cannot be properly carried on, nor the different secretions 
duly performed ; without exercise, the fluids cannot be properly pre- 
pared, nor the solids rendered strong or firm. The action of the heart, 
the motion of the kings, and all the vital functions are greatly assisted 
by exercise. But to point out the manner in which these effects are 
produced, would lead us further into the economy of the human body, 
than most of those for whom this treatise is intended would be ahle to 

* If it were made die interest of the poor to keep their children 
alive, we should loose very few of them. A small premium given an- 
nually to each poor family, for every child they had alive at the year's 
end, would save leore lives of infants than if the whole revenue of the 
nation were expended ou hospitals for this purpose. This would make 
the poor esteem fertility a blessing; whereas many of them think it the 
greatest curse that can befal them, and in place of wishing their chidrea 
to live, so far does poverty get the better of natural affection, that they arc 
often very happy when they die. 



OF CHILDREN. 33 

follow.. We shall therefore only add, that, when exercise is neglected, 
some of the animal functions can be duly performed ; and when that is 
the case, the whole constitution must go to wreck. 

A good constitution ought certainly to be our first object in the man- 
agement of children. It lays a foundation for their being useful and 
happy in life : and whoever neglects it, not only fails in his duty to his 
offspring, but to society. 

One very common error of parents, by which they hurt the consti- 
tutions of their children, is the sending them too young to school. 
This is often done solely to prevent trouble. When the child is at 
school, l»e needs no keeper. Thus the school-master is made the nurse ; 
and the poor child is fixed to a seat seven or eight hours a-day, which 
time ought to be spent in exercise and diversions. Sitting so long can- 
not fail to produce the worst effects upon the body; nor is the mind 
less injured. Early application weakens the faculties, and often fixes 
in the mind an aversion to books, which continues for life.* 

But suppose this were the Avay to make children scholars, it cer- 
tainly ought not to be done at the expence of their constitutions. Our 
ancestors, who seldom went to school very young, were not less learned 
than we. But we imagine the boy's education will be quite marred, 
unless he be carried to school in his nurse's arras. No wonder if such 
hot-bed plants seldom become either scholars or men ! 

Not only the confinement of children in public schools, but their 
number, often proves hurtful. Children are much injured by being 
kept in crowds within doors; their breathing not only renders the place 
unwholesome, but if any one of them happens to be diseased, the rest 
catch the infection. A single child has been often known to communi- 
cate the bloody flux, the hooping cough, the itch, or other disease, to al- 
most every individual in a numerous school. 

But, if fashion must prevail, and infants are to be sent to school, we 
would recommend it to teachers, as they value the interests of society, 
not to confine them too long at a time, but allow them to run about and 
play at such active diversions as may promote their growth, and 
strengthen their constitutions. Were boys, instead of being whipped for 
stealing an hour to run, ride, swim, or the like, encouraged to employ a 
proper part of their time in these manly and useful exercises, it would 
have many excellent effects. 

* It is undoubtedly the duty of parents to instruct their children, at 
least till they are of an age proper to take some care of themselves. 
This would tend much to confirm the ties of parental tenderness and 
Filial affection, of the want of which there are at present so many deplo- 
rable instances. Though few fathers have time to instruct their chil* 
dren, yet most mothers have, and surely they cannot be better em* 
ployed. 



34 OF CHILDREN. 

It would be a great service to boys, if, at a proper age, thry wers 
taught the military exercise. This would iucrease their strength, in- 
spire them with courage, and when their country called for their as- 
sistance, would enable them to act in her defence, without being obli- 
ged to undergo a tedious and troublesome course of instructions, at a 
time when they are less fit to learn new motions, gestures, &c* 

An effeminate education will infallibly spoil the best natural constitu- 
tion ; and if boys are brought up in a more delicate mauner than even 
girls ought to be, they will never be men. 

JN'or is the common education of girls less hurtful to the constitution 
than that of boys. Misa is set down to her frame before she can put on 
her clothes; and is taught to believe, that to excel at the needle is the 
only thing that can entitle her to general esteem. It is unnecessary 
here to insist upon the dangerous consequences of obliging girls to sit too 
much. They are pretty well known, aud are too often felt at a certaiu 
time of life. But supposing this critical period to be got over, greater dan- 
gers still await them when they come to be mothers. Women who have 
been early accustomed to a sedentary life, generally rungreat hazard in 
child-bed; while those who have beeu used to romp about, and take 
.-ufficient exercise, are seldom in any danger. 

One hardly meets with a girl who can at the same time boast of ear- 
ly performances by the needle, and a good constitution. Close and early 
confinement generally occasions iudige?tions, head-aches, pale complex- 
ions, pain of the stomach, loss of appetite, coughs, consumptions of the 
lungs, and deformity of body. The last of these indeed is not to be 
wondered at, considering the awkward postures in which girls sit at 
many kinds of needle work, and the delicate flexible state of their bod- 
ies in the early periods of life. 

Would mothers, instead of having their daughters instructed in many 
trifling accomplishments, employ them in plain work and house-wifery, 
and allow them sufficient exercise in the open air, they would both make 
tfiem more healthy mothers, aud more useful members of society. lam 
no enemy to genteel accomplishments, but would have them only con- 
sidered, as secondary, and always disregarded when they impair the 
health. 

Many people imagine it a great advantage for children to be early 
taught to earn their bread. This opinion is certainly right, pro- 
vided they were s« employed as not to hurt their health or growth ; but, 
•when these suiYer, society, instead of being benefited, is a real loser by 
their labour. There are few employments, except sedentary ones, by 
which children can earn a livelihood ; and if they be set to these to® 

* I am happy to find that the masters of academies now begin to put 
in practice this advice. Each of them ought to keep a drill sergeant 
for teaching the boys the military exercise. This, besides contributing 
te their health and vigour of body, woulu have many other happy effects. 



Of CHILDREN. 35 

$oon, it ruias their constitutions. Thus, by gaining a few years from 
Childhood, we generally lose twice as many in the latter period of life, 
and even render the person less useful while he does live. 

In order to be satisfied of the truth of this observation, we need on- 
ly look into the great manufacturing towns, where we shall find a pu- 
ny degenerate race of people, weak and sickly all their lives, seldom 
exceeding the middle period of life ; or if they do, being unfit for busi- 
ness they become a burden to society. Thus arts and manufactures, 
though they may increase the riches of a country, are by no means fa- 
vourable to the health of its inhabitants. Good policy would there- 
fore require, that such people as labour during life, should not be set 
too early to work. Every person conversant in the breed of horses, or 
other working animals, knows, that if they be set to hard labour too 
soon, they never will turn out to advantage. This is equally true with 
respect to the human species. Weakly children should always be put 
apprentices to trades which require their being mostly out of doors. 

There are nevertheless various ways of employing young people, 
without hurting their health. The easier parts of gardening, husband- 
ry, or any business carried on without doors, are most proper. These 
are employments which most young people are fond of, and some parts 
of them may always be adapted to their age, taste, and strength.* 

Such parents, however, as are under the necessity of employing 
their children within doors, ought to allow them sufficient time for ac- 
tive diversions without. This would both encourage them to do more 
work, and prevent their constitutions from being hurt. 

Some imagine, that exercise within doors is sufficient ; but they are 
greatly mistaken. One hour spent in running, or any other exercise 
without doors, is worth ten within. When children cannot go abroad, 
they may indeed be exercised at home. The best method of doing 
this, is to make them run about in a large room, or dance. This last 
kind of exercise, if not carried to excess, is of excellent service to young 
people. It cheers the spirits, promotes perspiration, strengthens the 
limbs, &c. I know an eminent physician who used to say, that he 
made his.children dance, instead of giving them physic. It were well! 
if more people followed his example. 

The cold bath may be considered as an aid to exercise. By it the 
body is braced and strengthened, the circulation and secretions are pro- 
moted, and, were it conducted with prudence many diseases, as the 
rickets, scrophula, &c. might thereby be prevented. The ancients s 
who took every method to render children hardy and robust, were no 
strangers to the use of the cold bath ; and, if we may credit report, the 
practice of immersing children daily in cold water must have been very 
common among our ancestors. 

* I have been told that in China, where the police is the best in the 
world, all the children are employed in the easier part of gardening 
and husbandry; as weeding, gathering stones off the laud, and such like. 



OF CHILDREN. 

The greatest objection to the use of the cold bath arises from the s«* 
perstitious prejudices of nurses. These are often so strong, that it is 
impossible to bring them to make a proper use of it. I have known 
some of them who would not dry a child's skin after bathing it, lest it 
should destroy the effects of the water. Others will even put clothes 
dipt in water upon the child, and either put it to bed, or suffer it to go 
about in that condition. Some believe that the whole virtue of the wa- 
ter depends upon its being dedicated to a particular saint; while oth- 
ers place their confidence in a certain number of dips, as three, seven-, 
nine, or the like; and the world could not persuade them, if these do 
not succeed, to try it a little longer. Thus, by the whims of muses, 
children loose the benefit of the cold bath, and the hopes of the physi- 
cian from that medicine are often frustrated. 

We ought not, however, entirely to set aside the cold bath, because 
some nurses make a wrong use of it. Every child when in health, 
should at least have its extremities daily washed in cold water. Thh 
is a partial use of the cold bath, and is better than none. In winter 
this may suffice; but, in the warm season, if a child be relaxed, or 
seem to have a tendency to the rickets or scrophula, its whole body 
ought to be frequently immersed in cold water. Care however must 
be taken not to do this when the body is hot, or the stomach full. The 
child should be dipped only once at a time, should be taken out imme- 
diately, ar.d have its skin well rubbed with a dry cloth. 

The bad Effects of unwholesome Air vpoti Children. 

Few tilings prove more destructive to children than confined or un- 
wholesome air. This is one reason why so kw of those infants who 
are put into hospitals, or parish workhouses, live. These places are 
generally crowded with old, sickly, and infirm people; by which means 
the air is Tendered so extremely pernicious, that it becomes a poison 
to infants. 

Want of wholesome air is likewise destructive to many of the chil- 
dren born in great towns. There the poorer sort of inhabitants live in 
low, dirty, confined houses, to which the fresh air has hardly any ac- 
cess. Though grown people, who are hardy and robust, may live in 
such, situations, yet they generally prove fatal to their offspring, few of 
whom arrive at maturity, and those who do are weak and deformed. 
As such people are not in a condition to carry their children abroad 
into the open air, we must lay our account with losing the greater part 
of them. But the. rich have not this excuse. It is their business to 
see thai their children be daily carried abroad, and that they be kept 
in the open air for a sufficient time. This will always succeed better 
if the mother goes along with them. Servants are often negligent in 
theee matters, and allow a child to sit or lie on the damp ground, in- 
stead of leveling or carrying it about. The mother surely needs air as 



OF CHILDREN. 3? 

•well as her children, and how can she be better employed than in at- 
tending them ? 

A very bad custom prevails, of making children sleep in small 
apartments, or crowding two or three beds in one chamber. Instead of 
this, the nursery ought always to be the largest and best aired room in 
the house. When children are confined in small apartments, the air 
not only becomes unwholesome, but the heat relaxes their solids, renders 
-them delicate, and disposes them to colds and many other disorders. 
]Nor is the custom of wrapping them up too close in cradles less pernicious.. 
One would think that nurses were afraid lest children should suffer by 
■breathing free air, as many of them actually cover the child's face 
while asleep, and others wrap a covering over the whole cradle, by 
which means the child is forced to breathe the same air over and over 
all the time it sleeps. Cradles indeed are on many accounts hurtful to 
children, and it would be better if the use of them were totally laid 
aside.* 

A child is generally laid to sleep with all its clothes on ; and if a num- 
ber of others are heaped above them, it must be over heated ; by which 
means it cannot fail to cateh cold on being taken out of the cradle, and 
exposed to the open air with only its usual clothing, which is too fre- 
quently the case. 

Children who are kept within doors all day, and sleep all night in 
warm close apartments, may, with great propriety, be compared to 
plants nursed in a hot house, instead of the open air. Though such 
plants may by this means be kept alive for some time, they will never 
arrive at that degree of strength, vigour, and magnitude, which they 
would have acquired in the open air, nor would they be able to bear 
it afterwards, should they be exposed to it. 

Children brought up in the country, who have been accustomed to 
the open air, should not be too early sent to great towns, where it is con- 
fined and unwholesome. This is frequently done with a view to for- 
ward their education, but proves very hurtful to their health. All 
schools and seminaries of learning ought, if possible, to be so situated 

# It is amazing how children escape suffocation, considering the 
manner in which they are often rolled up in flannels, &c. I lately at- 
tended an infant, whom I fouud muffled up over head and ears in 
many folds of flannel, though it was in the middle of June. I begged for 
a little free air to the poor babe ; but though this indulgence was grant- 
ed during my stay, I found it always on my return in the same situation. 
Death, as might be expected, soon freed the infant from all its mise- 
ries : but it was not in my power to free the minds of its parents from 
those prejudices which proved fatal to the child, 
^ I was very lately called to see an infant which was said to be expi- 
ring in convulsion fits. I desired the mother to strip the child, and 
wrap it in a loose covering. It had no more convulsion fits. 



38 OF CHILDREN. 

as to have fresh, dry, "wholesome air, and should never be too much 
crowded. 

Without entering into a detail of the particular advantages of whole- 
some air to children, or of the bad consequences which proceed from 
the want of it, I shall only observe, that of several thousands of chil- 
dren which have been under my care, I do not remember one instance 
of a single child who continued healthy in a close coofined station ; 
but have often known the most obstinate diseases cured by removing 
them from such a situation to an open free air. 

Of Nurses. 

It is not here intended to lay down rules for the choice of nurses. 
TFhis would be wasting time. Common sense will direct every one to 
choose a woman v. ho is healthy, and has plenfy of milk.* If she be at 
the same time cleanly, careful, and good-natured, she can hardly fail 
to make a proper aurse.f After all, however, the only certain proof 
of a good nurse, is a healthy child upon her breast. But, as the mis- 
conduct of nurses often proves fatal to children, it will be of importance 
to point out a few of their most baneful errors, in order to rouse the 
attention of parents, and to make them look more strictly into the con- 
duct of those to whom they commit the care of their infant offspring. 

Though it admits of some exceptions, yet we may lay it down as a 
geueral rule, That every woman who nurses for hire should be care- 
fully looked after, otherwise she will not do her duty. For this reason 
parents ought always to have their children nursed under their own 
eye, if possible ; and where this cannot be done, they should be ex- 
tremely circumspect in the choice cf those persons to whom they in- 
trust them. It is folly to imagine that any woman, who abandons her 

* I have often known people so imposed upon, as to give an infant to 
a nurse to be suckled who had not one drop of milk in her breast. 

f Next of importance to a healthy, cleanly, and good natured nurse, 
5s her diet. On this subject, after a close and lengthy investigation* 
Dr. Cullen concludes, " I alledge it to be a matter of experience, that 
nurses living entirely, or for the most part, upon vegetable aliment, af- 
ford a greater quantity of milk, and of a more proper quality, than nur- 
ses living upon much animal food. This, I venture to assert, from the 
observation of fifty years; during which time, I have known innumera- 
ble instances of the healthiest children reared upon the milk of nurses 
living entirely upon vegetable aliments; and I have known many in- 
stances of children becoming diseased, by their being fed by the milk 
of nurses who had changed their diet from entirely vegetable, to their 
taking in a quantity of animal food. Nay, I have known instances of 
children becoming disordered from a nurse's making a single meal of 
*n unusually large portion of animal food." 



OF CHILDREN. 9» 

own child to suckle another for the sake of gain, should feel all the af- 
fections of a parent towards her nursling; yet so necessary are the af- 
fections in a nurse, that, but for them, the human race would soou be 
extinct. 

One of the most common faults of those who nurse for hire, is dosing 
children with stupefactives, or such things as lull them asleep. An in- 
dolent nurse, who does not give a child sufficient exercise in the open 
air to make it sleep, and does not choose to be disturbed by it in the 
night, will seldom fail to procure for it a dose of laudanum, diacodium, 
saffron, or what answers the same purpose, a dose of spirits, or other 
strong liquors. These, though they be certain poison to infants, are ev- 
ery day administered by many who bare the character of very good 
nurses.* 

A nurse who has not milk enough is apt to imagine that this defect 
may be supplied by giving the child wines, cordial waters, or other 
strong liquors. This is an egregious mistake. The only thing that. 
has any chance to supply the place of the nurse's milk, must be some- 
what nearly of the same quality, as cow's milk, ass's milk, or beaf tea, 
with a little bread. It never can be done by the help of strong liquors. 
These, instead of nourishing an infant, never fail to produce the con- 
trary effect. 

Children are often hurt by nurses suffering them to cry long and 
vehemently. This strains their tender bodies, and frequently occa- 
sions ruptures, inflammations of the throat, lungs, &c. A child never 
continues to cry long without some cause, which might always be dis- 
covered by proper attention ; and the nurse who can hear an infant 
cry till it has almost spent itself, without endeavoring to please it, must be 
cruel indeed, and is unworthy to be intrusted with the care of an hu- 
man creature. 

Nurses who deal much in medicine are always to be suspected. 
They trust to it, and neglect their duty. ~I never knew a good nurse 
who had her Godfrey's cordial, Daffy's elixirs, Dalby's carminative, 
&c. at hand. Such generally imagine, that a dose of medicine will 
make up for all defects in food, air, exercise, and cleanliness. By 
errors of this kind, I will venture to say, that one half the children who 
die annually in London lose their lives. 

Allowing children to continue long wet, is another very pernicious cus- 
tom of indolent nurses. This is not only disagreeable, but galls and frets- 
the infant, and, by relaxing the solids occasions scrophulas, rickets* 
and other diseases. A dirty nurse is always to be suspected. 

Nature often attempts to free the bodies of children from bad humors., 
by throwing them upon the skin : by this means fevers and other diseas- 

* If a mother, on visiting her child at nurse, finds it always asleep, 
I would advise her to remove it immediately ; otherwise it will soon 
sleep its last* 



40 OF CHILDREN. 

es ave prevented. Nurses are apt to mistake such critical eruptions fw 
an itch, or some other infectious disorder. Accordingly they take every 
method to drive them in. In this way many children lose their lives; 
and no wonder, as Nature is opposed in the very method she takes to 
relieve them. It ought to be a rule, which every nurse should observe, 
never to stop any eruptiou without proper advice, or being well assured 
that it is not of a critical nature. At any rate, it is never to be done 
without previous evacuations. 

Loose stools is another method by which Nature often prevents or 
carries off the diseases of infants. If these proceed too far, no doubt 
they ought to be checked ; but this is never to be done without the 
greatest caution. Nurses, upon the first appearance of loose stools, 
frequently fly to the use of astringents, or such things as bind the body. 
Hence inflammatory fevers, and other fatal diseases, are occasioned. 
A dose of rheubarb, a gentle vomit, or some other evacuations, should 
always precede the use of astringent medicines. 

One of the greatest faults of nurses is, concealing the diseases of chil- 
dren from their parents. This they are extremely ready to do, espe- 
cially when the disease is the effect of their own negligence. Many in- 
stances might be given of persons who have been rendered lame for 
life by a fall from the nurse's arms, which she, through fear, concealed 
till the misfortuue was past cure. Every parent who intrusts a nurse 
with the care of a child, ought to give her the strictest charge not to 
conceal the most trifling disorder or misfortune that may befell it. 

"VVe can see no reason why a nurse, who conceals any misfortune which 
happens to a child under her care, till it loses its life or limbs, should 
not be punished. A few examples of this would save the lives of many 
infants; but as there is little reason to expect that it ever will be the 
case, we would earnestly recommend it to all parents to look carefully 
after their children, and not to trust so valuable a treasure entirely in 
the hands of a hireling. 

No person ought to imagine these things unworthy of his attention. 
On the proper management of children depend not only their health and 
usefulness in life, but likewise the safety and prosperity of the state to 
which they belong. Effeminacy ever will prove the ruin of any state 
where it prevails; and when its foundations are laid in infancy, it can 
never afterwards be wholly eradicated. Parents who love their off- 
spring, and wish Avell to their country, ought therefore, in the manage- 
ment of their children, to avoid every thing that may have a tendency 
to nnke them weak or effeminate, sod to take every method in their 
power to render their constitutions strong and hardy. 

" By arts like these 
" Laconia nurs'd of old her hardy sons ; 
" And Home's unconquer'd legioDs urg'd their way, 
" Unhurt, through every toil in erery clime." Armstrong . 



THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, &c. 41 



CHAPTER II. 

OF THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, AND THE 
STUDIOUS. 

THAT men are exposed to particular diseases from the occupations 
which they follow, is a fact well known ; but to remedy this evil 
Is a matter of some difficulty. Most people are under the necessity of 
following these employments to which they have been bred, whether 
they be favourable to health or not. For this reason, instead of inveigh- 
ing, in a general way, as some authors have done, against those occu- 
pations which are hurtful to health, we shall endeavour to point out the 
circumstances in each of them from which the danger chiefly arises, 
and to propose the most rational methods of preventing it. 

Chymists, founders, forgers, glass-makers, and several other artists, 
are hurt by the unwholesome air which they are obliged to breathe. 
This air is not only loaded with the noxious exhalations arising from 
metals and minerals, but is so charged with phlogiston as to be render- 
ed unfit for expanding the lungs sufficiently, and answering the other 
important purposes of respiration. Hence proceed asthmas, coughs, and 
consumptions of the lungs, so incident to peisons who follow these em- 
ployments. 

To prevent such consequences, as far as possible, the places where 
these occupations are carried on, ought to be constructed iu such a man- 
ner as to discharge the smoke and other exhalations, and admit a free 
current of fresh air. Such artists ought never to continue too long at 
work ; and when they give over, they should suffer themselves to cool 
gradually, and put on their clothes before they go into the open air. 
They ought never to drink large quantities of cold, weak, or watery 
liquors, while their bodies are hot, nor to indulge iu raw fruits, sallads, 
or any thing that is cold on the stomach.* 

Miners, and all who work Under ground, are likewise hurt by un- 
wholesome air. The air, by its stagnation in deep mines, not only loos- 
es its proper spring and other qualities necessary for respiration, but is 
often loaded with such noxious exhalations as to become a most deadly 
poison. 

The two kinds of air which prove most destructive to miners, are 
what they call the fire damp, and the choke damp. In both cases the 
air becomes a poison by its being loaded with phlogiston. The dan- 
ger from the former may be obviated by making it explode before it ac- 
cumulates in too great quantities ; and the latter may be generally car- 
ried off by promoting a free circulation of air in the mine. 

* When persons heated with labour have drank cold water, they 
orjgbt to continue at work for some time after, 
6 



42 TME LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

Miners, are not only hurt by unwholesome air, but likewise by tii- 
particles of metal which adhere to their skia, dollies, &c. these are 
absorbed.or taken up into the body, and occasion palsies, vertigoes, 
and other nervous affections^ which often prove fatal. Fallopius ob- 
serves, that those who work hi mines of mercury seldom live abqye 
three or four year?. Lead, and several other metals, are likewise 
very pernicious to the health. 

Miners ought never to go to work fusing, nor to continue too lotij; 
at work. Their food ought to he nourishing, find their liquor generous : 
nothing move certainly hurts them than living too low. They should 
by all means avoid costiveuess. This may ei'her be done by chewing 
a little rneubarb, or taking a sufficient quai tity of saliad oil Oil not 
only opens life body, but sheathes and defends the intestines from the 
ill effects of the. metals. AH, who work in mines or metals ought to 
■wash carefuily, and to change their clothes as soon as they give over- 
working. .Nothing would tend more to preserve the health of such 
people, than a strict and almost religious regard to cleanliness. 

Plumbers, painters, gilders, smelters, makers of white lead, and Many 
o'hers who work in metals, are liable. to the same diseases as miners; 
and ought to observe the same directions for avoiding them. 

Tallow-chandlers, baiters of oil, an,d all who work in putrid animal 
substances, are likewise liable to suffer- from the unwholesome smells cv. 
effluvia of these bodies. They ought to pay the same regard to clean- 
liness as miners; and when they a#e affected with nausea, sickness, or 
•-■digestion, we would advise ihem to take a vomit or gentle purged 
Sue!) substances ought, always to be manufactured as soon as possible. 
"When long kept, they not only become unwholesome to those who 
manufacture them, but likewise to people who live in the neighbour- 
hood. 

It would greatly exceed the limits of this part of our subject, to spe- 
cify the diseases peculiar to persons of every occupation; we shall 
. consider mankind under the general, classes of the Laborious, 
SedfpXarj;, and studious. 

The Laborious. 

to follow laborious employments are in general the. 
jsiast healthy of mankind, yet the nature of their occupations, and the 
places where they are carried on, expose them move particularly to 
some diseases. Husbandmen, for example, ! to all the vi- 

cissitudes ef the weather, which, in this country, are often very great 
*:;d sudden, and occasion- colds, coughs, quinsies, rheumatisms, fevers^ 
and other acute disorders. They are likewise forced to work hard, 
sad often to carry burdens above their strength, which, by oterstraia- 
;■-.- the vessel?, occasion asthmas, rupture: 13 ; pleurisies. &C. 



AND THE STUDIOUS. U 

. Those who labour without doors are often afflicted with intermitting 
ttevers or agues, occasioned by the frequent vicissitudes of heat ana 
•■cold, poor living, bad water, sitting or lying on the damp ground, even- 
ing dews, night air, &c. to which they are frequently exposed. 

Such as bear heavy burdens, as porters, labourers, <fec. are obliged to 
draw in' the air with much greater force, and also to keep their lungs clis- 
teacfed with more violence than necessary for common respiration: by this 
means the tender vessels of the lungs are overstretched, arid often bufst, 
insomuch that a spitting of blood or fever ensues. Hippocrates men- 
tions an instance to this purpose, of a man, who, upon a wager, carried 
an ass, but was soon after seised with a fever, a vomiting of blood and 
,a rupture. 

Carrying heavy burdens is generally the effect of mere laziness, 
which prompts people to do at once what should be done at twice. 
'Sometimes it proceeds from vanity or emulation. Hence it is, that the 
strongest meu are most commonly hurt by heavy burdens, hard labeur, 
or -feats of activity. It is rare to find one who boasts of strength with- 
out a rupture, a spitting Of blood, or some other disease, which he 
reaps as "the fruit of his folly. One would imagine the daily instances 
we have of the fatal effects of carry iog great weights, running, wrestling, 
and the like, would be sufficient to prevent such practices. 

There are indeed some employments which necessarily require a 
great exertion of strength, as porters, blacksmiths, carpenters, &c. 
JMone ought to follow these but men of strong body ; and they should 
fcever exert their strength ; to the utmost, oor w r ork too long. When the 
muscles are violently strained, frequent rest is necessary, in order that 
thay may recover their tone; without this, the strength and constitu- 
tion will soon be worn out, and a premature old age be induced. 

The erysipelas, or St. Anthony's lire, is a disease very incident to 
the laborious. It is occasioned by whatever gives a sadden check to 
the perspiration, as dtlnking cold water when the body is warm, wet 
feet, keeping ou wet clothes, sitting or lying on the damp ground, &c. 
It is impossible for those who labour without doors always to guard 
against these inconveniences ; but it is known from experience, that 
their ill consequences -might often be prevented by proper care. 

The iliac passion, the cholic, and other complaints of the bowels, ars 
often occasioned by the same causes as the erysipelas; but they may 
likewise proceed from flatulent and indigestible food. Labourers gener- 
ally eat uufermented bread, made of peas, beans, rye, and other windy 
ingredients. They also devour great quantities of unripe fruits, baked, 
stewed, or raw, with various kinds of roots and herbs, upon which they 
ofieu drink sour milk, stale small beer, or the like. Such a mixture 
cannot fail to fill the bowels with wind, and occasion diseases in those 
-parts. 

Inflammation, whitloes, and other diseases of the extremeties, arelike» 
H^-ise caramon among those who labour without doors. These -disease 



4 1 THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

are ofteti attributed to venom, or some kind of poison ; but they gen 
ally proceed either from sudden heat after cold, or the contrary. Whet* 
labourers., milk-maids, &x. come from the field, cold or wet, they rua 
to the fire, and often plunge their hands in warm water, by which means 
the blood mid other humours in those parts are suddenly expanded, and, 
the vessels not yielding so quickly, a strangulation happeus, and an in- 
flammation or a mortification ensues. 

When such persons come home cold, they ought to keep at a distance 
from the fire for some time, to wash their hands in cold water, and rub 
them well with a dry cloth. It sometimes happens, that people are so 
benumbed with cold, as to be quite deprived of the use of their limbs. 
In :his case the only remedy is to rub the parts affected with snow, or 
where it cannot be had, with cold water. If they be held near the 
fire, or plunged into warm water, a mortification will generally ensue. 
Labourers in the hot season are apt to lie down and sleep iu the 
sun. This practice is so dangerous, that they often awake in a burning 
lever. These ardent fevers, which prove so fatal about the eurl of the 
summer and the beginning of autumn, are frequently occasioned by this 
mean?. Whea labourers leave off. work, which they ought always to 
do chiving the heat of the day, they should go home, or at least get un- 
der some cover where they may repose themselves in safety. 

Many people follow their employments in the fields from morning till 
night, without eating any thing. This cannot fail to hurt their health. 
However homely their fare be, they ought to have it at regular times ; 
and the harder they work, the more frequently they should eat. If 
the humours be riot frequently replenished with fresh nourishment, they 
soou become putrid, and produce fevers of the very Worst kind. 

Many peasants are extremely careless with respect to what they eat 
or drink, and often, through mere indolence, use unwholesome food, 
when they mi<;ht, for the same expeuce, have that which is wholesome. 
In some parts of Britain, the peasants are too careless even to take the 
trouble of dressing their own victuals. Such people would live upon 
one meal a-day, in indolence, rather than labour, though it were to pro- 
cure them the greatest affluence. 

Fevers of a very bad kind are often occasioned among laboureis by 
poor liviug. When the body is not sufficiently nourished, the humours 
become vitiated, and the solids weak; from whence the most fatal con- 
sequences ensue. Poor living is likewise productive of many of those 
cutaneous diseases so frequent among the lower class of people. It is 
Temaikable that cattle, when pinched in their food, are generally af- 
fected with diseases of the skin, which seldom fail to disappear when 
they are put upon a good pasture. This slows how much a good state 
of ihe humours depends uncn a sufficient quantity of proper nourish- 
menf. 

Poverty not only occasions, but aggravates many of the diseases of 
us. Few of them have much fort sight ; and, if they had, it 



AND THE STUDIO VS. 45 

is seldom in their power to save any thing. They are glad to make a shift 
to live from day to day ; and when any disease overtakes them, they 
are miserable indeed. Here the godlike virtue of charity ought always 
to exert itself. To relieve the iudustrious poor in distress, is surely the 
most exalted act of religion and humanity. They alone, who are wit- 
nesses of those scenes of calamity, can form a notion of what numbers 
perish in diseases, for want of proper assistance, and even for want of 
the necessaries of life. 

Labourers are often hurt by a foolish emulation, which prompts them 
to vie with one another, till they overheat themselves to such a degree 
as to occasion a fever, or even to drop down dead. Such as wantonly 
throw away their lives in this manner, deserve to be looked upon in no 
better light than self-murderers. 

The office of a soldier, in time of war, may be ranked among the la- 
borious employments. Soldiers suffer many hardships from the in- 
clemency of seasons, long marches, bad provisions, hunger, watching, 
unwholesome climates, bad water, &c. These occasion fevers, fluxes, 
rheumatisms, and other fatal diseases, which generally do greater exe- 
cution than the sword, especially when campaigns are continued too 
late in the season. A few weeks of cold rainy weather will often prove 
more fatal than an engagement. 

Those who have the command of armies should take care that their 
soldiers be well clothed and well fed. They ought also to finish their 
campaigns in due season, and to provide their men with dry and well 
aired winter quarters. These rules, taking care, at the same time, to 
keep the sick at a proper distance from those in health, would tend great- 
ly to preserve the lives of the soldiery.* 

* It is indeed to be regretted, that soldiers suffer not less from indo- 
lence and intemperance in the time of peace, than from hardships in 
time of war. If men are idle they will be vicious. It would therefore 
be of great importance, could a scheme be formed for rendering the 
military, in times of peace, both more healthy and more useful. These 
desirable objects might, in our opinion, be obtained, by employing them 
for some hours every day, and advancing their pay accordingly. By 
this means, idleness the mother of vice, might be prevented, the price 
of labour lowered, public works, as harbours, canals, turnpike roads, 
&c. might be made Avithout hurting manufactures; and soldiers might 
be enabled to marry and bring up children. A scheme of this kind 
might easily be conducted, so as not to depress the martial spirit, pro- 
vided the men were only to work four or five hours every day, and al- 
ways to work without doors ; no soldier should be suffered to work too 
long, or to follow any sedentary employment. Sedentary employments 
render men weak and effeminate, quite unfit for the hardships of war ; 
whereas working for a few hours every day without doors, would in- 
ure them to the weather, brace their nerves, and increase their strength 
and courage. 



THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARt, 

Sailors may also be numbered among the laborious. They undergo 
great hardships from the change of climate, the violence of the weath- 
er, hard labour, bad provisions, &c. Saiiors are of so great impor- 
tance that too much pains cau never be bestowed in pointing cut the 
means of preserving their live?. 

One great source of the diseases of sea faring people is excess. "When 
they get on shore, after having been long at sea, without regard to the 
climate, or their own constitutions, they plunge headlong into all mau- 
nor of riot, and often persist till a fever puts an end to their lives. 
Thus intemperance, and not the cjimate, is often ihe cause why so 
raapy of our brave sailors die on foreign coasts. Such people ought 
.not to live too low ; but they will find moderation the best defence 
against fevers and mar,} 7 ether maladies. 

Sailors, when on duty, cannot avoid sometimes getting wet. "When 
iVs happens, they should change their clothes as soon as they are re- 
lieved, and take every method to restore the perspiration. They 
should not in this case, make too free with spirits or ether strong li- 
quors, but should rather drink them diluted with warm water, and go 
immediately to bed, where a scuud sleep and gentle sweat would set all 
to rights. 

But the health of sailors suffers most from unwholesome food. The 
constant use of salted provisions vitiates their humours, and occasions 
the scurvy, and other obstinate maladies. It is no easy matter to pre- 
vent this disease in Iqag voyages ; yet we cannot help thinking, that 
much might be done towards effecting so desirable an end, were due 
pains bestowed for that purpose. For example, various roots, greens, 
land fruits, might be kept a long time at sea, as onions, potatoes, cab- 
Lages, lemons, oranges, tamarinds, apples, &c. When fruits cannot be 
fcept, the juices of them, either fresh or fermented, may. With these 
Jill the drink, and even the food of the ship's company, ought to be 
acidulated in long voyages. 

Stale bread and beer likewise contribute to vitiate the humours. 
Flour will keep for « long time on board, of which fresh bread might 
frequently be made. JVlalt too might be kept and infused with boiling 
wafer at any time. This liquor, when drank even in form of wort, 
is very wholesome, and is found to be an antidote cgainst the scurvy. 
Sna|l wines and cider might likewise be plentifully laid in; and should 
they turn sour, they would still be useful as vinegar. Vinegar is a 
great antidote against diseases, and should be used by all travellers, 
i i>ed;dly at sea. ft may either be mixed with the water they drink, 
. < -n in their food. 

Such animals as can be kept alive, ought likewise to be carried on 

board, as hens, ducks, pigs-, Ac. Fresh broths made of portable soup, 

and puddings made of peas or other vegetables, ought to be used plenti- 

other things will readily occur to people conversant 48 



Aim THE STUDIOUS. 

these matters, which would tend to preserve the health of that brave 
and useful set of men.* 

We have reason to believe if due attention were paid to the diet, air, 
detaining, and above all tilings to the cleanlinessf of seafaring people, 
they would be the most healthy set of men in the world j but when these 
are neglected, the very reverse will happen. 

The best medical antidote that Ave can recommend to sailors or sol- 
diers on foreign coasts, especially where dampness prevails, is the Pe- 
ruviau bark. This will often prevent fevers, and other fatal diseases. 
About a drachm of it may be chewed every day ; or if this should prove 
disagreeable, an ounce of bark, with half an ounce of orange peel, and' 
two drachms of snake-root coarsely powdered, may be infused for two 
or three days in an English quart of brandy, and lxdf a wine glass of 
U may be taken twice or thrice a- day, when the stomach is empty, 
This has been found to be an excellent antidote against fluxes, putrid, 
intermitting, and other fevers, in unhealthy climates. It is not mate- 
rial in what form this medicine is taken. It may either be infused in. 
water, wine, or spirits, as recommended above, or made into aa electu- 
ary with syrups of lemons, oranges, or the like. 

The Sedentary. 

• Though nothing can be more contrary to the nature.of man than a 
sedentary life, yet this class comprehends by far the greater part of 
the species. Almost the whole female world, and in manufacturing 
countries, the major part of the males, may be reckoned sedentary.^ 

* The celebrated Captain Cook has shown how far, by proper care 
and attention, the diseases formerly so fatal to seamen may be prevent- 
ed. In a voyage of three years and eighteen days, during which he 
was exposed to every climate, from the 52 deg. north, to the 71 deg. 
of south latitude, of one hundred and eighteen men, composing the ship's 
company, he lost only one, who died of a Phthisis Pulmonalis. The 
principal means he used were, to preserve a strict attention to cleanli- 
ness, to procure abundance of vegetable and fresh provisions, espe- 
cially good water, and to allow his people sufficient time for resi. 

f A regulation on board the United States' Navy, requiring evcry 
individual, at least once a week to wash their feet clean, is worthy oC 
general attention, as a means of preserving health. 

\ The appellation of sedentary has generally been given only to the 
studious; we can- see no reason, however, for restricting it to them 
alone. Many artificers may, with as much propriety, be denominated 
sedentary as the studious, with this particular disadvantage, that they 
are often obliged to sit in very awkward postures, which ftre studiciss 
need not do, unless Chev olease-. 



48 THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

Agriculture, the first and most healthful of all employments, is now 
followed by few who are able to carry on any other business. Bat 
those who imagine that the culture of the earth is not sufficient to em- 
ploy all its inhabitants, are greatly mistaken. An ancient RomaB, we 
are told, could maintain his family from the produce of one acre of 
ground. So might a modern Briton, if he would be contented to live 
like a Roman. This shews what an immense increase of inhabitants 
Britain might admit of, and all of them live by the culture of the 
ground. 

Agriculture is the great source of domestic riches. Where it is 
neglected, whatever wealth may be imported from abroad, poverty aDd 
misery Mill abound at home. Such is, and ever will be, the fluctuating 
state of trade and manufactures, that thousands of people may be in 
full employment to-day and in beggary tomorrow. This can never hap- 
pen to those who cultivate the ground. They can eat the fruit of their 
labour, aod always by industry obtain, at least, the necessaries of life. 
Though sedentary employments are necessary, yet there seems to 
be no reason why any persou should be confiued for life to these alone. 
Were such employments intermixed with the more active and laborious, 
they would never do hurt. It is constant confinement that ruins tfce 
health. A man may not be hurt by sitting five or six hours a-day; 
but if he is obliged to sit ten or twelve, he will soon become diseased. 
But it is not want of exercise alone which hurts sedentary people ; 
they likewise suffer from the confiued air which they breathe, it is 
very common to see ten or a dozen taylors,* or stay-makers, for exam- 
ple, crowded into one small apartment, where there is hardly room for 
one person to breathe freely. In this situation they generally contin- 
ue for many hours at a time, often with the addition of several candles, 
which tend likewise to waste the air, and render it less fit for respira- 
tion. Air that is breathed repeatedly becomes unfit for expanding the 
lungs. This is one cause of the phthisical coughs, and other complaints 
of the breast, so incident to sedentary artificers. 

Even the perspiration from a great number of persons pent up to- 
gether, renders the air unwholesome. The danger from this quarter 
will be greatly increased, if any one of them happens to have bad lungs, 
or to be otherwise diseased. Those who sit near him, being forced to 
breathe the same air, can hardly fail to be infected. It would be a 
rare thing, however, to find a dozen of sedentary people all in good 

* A person of observation in that line of life told me, that most tay* 
Inrs die of consumptions ; which lie attributed chiefly to the unfavoura- 
ble postures in which they sit, -and the unwholesomeness of those places 
where their business is carried on. If more attention was not paid to 
profit than to the preservation of human lives, this evil might be easily 
remedied ; but while masters only mind their own interest, nothing 
will be done for the safety of their servants. 



AND THE STUDIOUS. 4& 

.health. The danger of crowding them together must therefore bs evi- 
dent to every one. 

Many of those who follow sedentary employments are constantly in 
a bending posture, as shoemakers, taylors, cutlers, &c. Such a situa- 
tion is extremely hurtful. A bending posture obstructs all the 
vital motions, and of coarse must destroy the health. Accordingly we 
find such artificers generally complaining of indigestions, flatulencies, 
head-achs, pains of the breast, &c. 

The aliment in sedentary people, instead of being pushed forwards 
by an erect posture, and the action of the muscles, is in a manner con- 
fined in die bowels. Hence indigestion, costiveness, wind, and other 
hypochondrical affections, the constant companions of the sedentary. 
Indeed none of the excretions can be duly performed where exercise 
is wanting; and when the matter which ought to be discharged in this 
way is retained too long in the body, it must have bad effects, as it is 
again taken up into the mass of humours. 

A beading posture is likewise hurtful to the lungs. When this orgaa 
is compressed, the air cannot have free access in all its parts, so as to 
expand them properly. Hence tubercles, adhesions, &c. are formed, 
which often end in consumptions. Besides, the proper action of the 
lungs being absolutely necessary for making good blood, when the or- 
gan fails, the humours soon become universally depraved, and the whole 
constitution goes to wreck. 

Sedentary artificers are not only hurt by pressure on the bowels, 
but also on the inferior extremities, which obstructs, the circulation in 
these parts, and renders them weak and feeble. Thus taylors, shoe- 
makers, &c. frequently lose the use of their legs altogether; besides 
the blood and humours are, by stagnation, vitiated, and the perspiration 
is obstructed ; from whence proceed the scab, ulcerous sores, foul 
blotches, and other cutaneous diseases so common among sedentary ar- 
tificers. 

A bad figure of body is a very common consequence of close application 
to sedentary employments. The spine, for example, by being continu- 
ally bent, puts on a crooked shape, and generally remains so ever af- 
ter. But a bad figure of body has already been observed to be hurt- 
ful to health, as the vital functions are thereby impeded. 

A sedentary life seldom fails to occasion an universal relaxation of 
the solids. This is the great source from whence most of the diseases of 
sedentary people flow. The scrophula, consumption, hysterics, and 
nervous diseases, now so common, were very little known in this coun- 
try before sedentary artificers became so numerous; and they are very 
little known still among such of our people as follow active employ- 
ments without doors, though in great towns at least two thirds of the 
Inhabitants are afflicted with them. 

It is very difficult to remedy those evils, because many who have 
Seen accustomed u> a sedentary life, like rickety children, lose all iu- 
7 



*> THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

clination for exercise ; we shall, however, throw out a few hiutd wit& 
respect to the most likely meaus for preserving the health of this useful 
set of people, which some of them, we hope, will be wise enough to 
take. 

It has been already observed, that sedentaxy artificers are oftea 
hurt by their bending posture. They ought therefore to stand or sit 
as erect as the nature of, their employments will permit. They should 
likewise change their posture frequently, and should nsver sit too long 
at a time, but leave off work, and walk, ride, run, or do any thing that 
will promote the vital functions. 

Sedentary artificers ane generally allowed too little time for exer- 
cise; yet short as it is, they seldom employ it properly. A journey-. 
maq taylor or weaver, for example, instead of walking abroad for ex- 
ercise and fresh air, at his hours of leisure, chuses ofteu to spend them 
in a public house, or in playing at some sedentary game, by which ha 
generally looses both his time and his money. 

The awkward postures in which many sedentary artificers work, 
seem rather to be the effect of custom than necessity. For example, 
a table might surely be contrived for ten or a dozen lay lors to sit round 
with liberty for thu've legs either to hang down, or rest upon a foot- 
board as they should ciiuse. A place might likewise be cut out for 
each person, in such a manner that he might sit as conveniently for 
working as in the present mode of sitting cross-legged. 

All sedentary artificers ought to pay the most religious regard to 
cleanliuess. Both their situation and occupations render this highly- 
necessary. Nothing would contribute more to preserve their health, 
than a strict attention to it ; and such of them as neglect it, not only 
run the hazard of losing health, but of becoming a nuisance to their 
neighbours. 

Sedentary people ought to avoid food that is windy or hard of di- 
gestion, and should pay the strictest regard to sobriety. A person who 
works hard without doors will soon throw off a debauch ; but one who 
sits has by no means an equal chance. Heqce it often happens, that 
sedentary people are seized with fevers after hard drinking. When 
such peiscns fcel their spirits low, instead of running to the tavern for 
relief, they should ride or walk in die field. This would remove the 
<omplaiut more effectually tuan strong liquor, and would never huit 
the constitution. 

Instead of multiplying rules for preserving the health of the sedenta- 
ry, we shall recommend to them the following general plan, viz.. That 
tvery person who follows a sedentary employment should cultivate* 
piece of ground with his own hands. Tbis he might dig, plant, sow, 
and weed at leisure hours, so as to make it both an exercise and amuse- 
ment, while it produc.d many of the necessaries of life. After work- 
ing an hour in a cardeu, a man will return with more keenness to his; 
employment within doors, than if he had been all the while idle, 



AND TEE STUDIOUS. 61 

, Labouring the ground is every way conducive to health. It not ob- 
\y gives exercise to eveiy part of the body, but the very smell of the 
Hearth and fresh herbs revives and cheers the spirits, whilst the perpet- 
ual prospect of something coming to maturity, delights and entertains 
the mind. We are so formed as to be always pleased with something 
in prospect, however distant or however trivial. Hence the happiness 
that most men feel in planting, sowing, building, &c. These seem to 
have been the chief employments of the more early ages; and when 
kings and conquerors cultivated the ground, there is reason to believe 
*hat they knew as well wherein true happiness consisted as we do. 

It may seem romantic to recommend gardening to manufacturers in 
great towns ; but observation proves that the plan is very practicable. 
In the town of Sheffield, in Yorkshire, where the great iron manufac- 
ture is carried on, there is hardly a journeyman cutler who does not pos- 
sess a piece of ground, which he cultivates «s a garden. This prac- 
tice has many salutary effects. It not only induces these people to take 
exercise without doors, but also to eat many greens, roots, &c. of their 
own growth, which they would never think of purchasing. There caa 
he no reason why manufacturers in any other town in Great Britain 
should not follow the same plan. It is indeed to be regretted, that in 
such a place as London a plan of this kind is not practicable ; yet even 
there, sedentary artificers may find opportunities of taking air and ex- 
ercise, if they chuse to embrace them. 

Mechanics are too much inclined to croud into great towns. The 
situation may have some advantages, bat it has likewise many disad- 
vantages. All mechanics who live in the country have it in their pow- 
er to cultivate a peace of ground ; which indeed most of them do. This 
not only gives them exercise, but enables them to live more comforta- 
bly. So far at least as my observation extends, mechanics who live ia 
the ceuntry are far more happy than those in great towns. They en- 
joy better health, live in greater affluence, and seldom fail to rear a 
healthy and numerous offspring. 

In a word, exercise without doors, in one shape or another, is abso- 
lutely necessary to health. Those who neglect it, though they may for 
a while drag out life, can hardly be said to enjoy it. Weak and ef- 
feminate, they languish for a few years, and soon drop into an untimely 
grave. 

Tlie Shidimis. 

Intense thinking is so destructive to health, that few instances can b£ 
produced of studious persons who are strong and healthy. Hard study 
always implies a sedentary life ; and when intense thinking is joined to 
the want of exercise, the consequences must be bad. We have fre- 
quently known even a few months of close application to study ruin ail 
Excellent constitution, by inducing a train of nervous complalste, whick 



52 THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

could never be retrieved. Man is evidently not formed for contknal 
thought more than for perpetual action, and vrouid be as soon worn out 
by the one as the other. 

So great is the power of the miud over the body, that, by its influ- 
ence, tlsc whole vital motions may be accelerated or retarded, to al- 
most any degree. Thus cheerfulness and mirth quid en the circulation, 
and promote all the secretions ; whereas sadness and profound thought 
never fail to retard then;. Hence it would appear, that even a degree 
of thoughtlessness is necessary to health. Indeed the perpetual think- 
er seldom enjovs either health or spirits; while the person who can 
hardly be said to think at all, generally enjoys both. 

Perpetual thinkers, as they are called, seldom think long. In a few 
years they generally become quite stupid, and exhibit a melancholy 
proof how readily the greatest blessings may be abused. Thinking, like 
everything else, when carried to extreme, becomes a vice ; nor can 
any thing afford a greater proof of wisdom, than for a man frequently 
and seasonably to unbend his mind. Tins may generally be done by 
j.i i'.igin cheerful company, active diversions, or the like. 

Instead of attempting to investigate the nature of that connexion which 
subsists between the mind ?.m\ body, or to inquire into the manner in 
which they mutually effect each ether, we shall ouly mention those dis- 
eases to which the learned arc more peculiarly liable, aad endeavour 
to point out the means of avoiding them. 

Studious persons arc very subject to the gout. This painful disease 
in a great measure proceeds from indigestion and an obstructed perspi- 
ration. It is impossible that the man who sits from morning till night 
should either digest his food, or have any of the secretions in due quan- 
tity. But when that matter which should be tin own off by the skin, 
is retained in the body, and the humours are not didy prepared, dis- 
eases must ensue. 

The studious are likewise very liable to the stone and gravel. Ex- 
ercise greatly promotes both the secretion and discharge of the urine; 
consequently a sedentary life must have the contrary effect. Any one 
may be satisfied of this by observing that he passes much more urine 
by day than ia the night, and also when he walks or rides, tiian when 
he sits. 

The circulation in the liver being slow, obstructions in that organ 
can hardly fail to be the consequence of inactivity. Hence sedentary 
people are frequently afflicted with schirrous livers. But the proper 
secretion and discharge of the bile is so nccessarr a pari of the animal 
<concmy, that where these arc not duly performed, the health must 
h>ou be impaired. Jaundice, indigestion, loss of appetite, and a wast- 
ing of the Avhoie body, seldom fail to be the consequences of a vitiated 
,• tate of the liver or obstructions of the bile. 

Few diseases prove more fatal to the studious than consumptions of 
(he Kings. It has already been observed, thatlhis organ cannot be du- 



AND THE STUDIOUS. 5$ 

ly expanded iu (hose who do not lake proper exercise ; and where this 
is the case, obstructions and adhesions will ensue. Not only want of 
exercise, but the posture in which studious persons generally sit, is 
very hurtful to the lungs. Those who read or write much are ready 
to contract a habit of bending forwards, and often press with their 
breast upon a table or bench. This posture cannot fail to hurt the 
lungs. 

The functions of the heart may likewise by this means be injured. 
I remember to have seen a man opened, whose pericardium adhered to 
the breast-bone in such a manner as to obstruct the motion of the heart, 
and occasion his death. The only probable cause that could be as- 
signed for this singular symptom was, that the man, whose business was 
writing, used constantly to tit in a bending posture, with his breast 
pressing upon the edge of a plain table. 

No person can enjoy health who does not properly digest his food. 
But intense thinking and inactivity never fail to weaken the powers of 
digestion Hence the humours become crude and vitiated, the solids 
weak and relaxed, and the whole constitution goes to ruin. 

Long and intense thinking often occasions grievous head achs, which 
bring on virtigoes, apoplexies, palsies, and other fatal disorders. The 
best way to prevent these is, never to study too long at one time, and 
to keep the body regular, either by proper food, or taking frequently 
a little of some opening medicine. 

Those who read or write much are often afflicted with sore eyes. 

Studying by candle-light is peculiarly hurtful to the sight. This 
ought to be practised as seldom as possible. When it is unavoidable, the 
eyes should be shaded, and the head should not beheld too low. When 
the eyes are weak or painful, they should be bathed every night and 
morning in cold water, to which a little brandy may be added. 

It has already been observed, that the excretions are very defective 
in the studious. The dropsy is often occasioned by the retention of 
those humours which ought to be carried off in this way. Any person 
may observe, that sitting makes his legs swell, and that this goes off 
by exercise; which clearly points out the method of prevention. 

Fevers, especially of the nervous kind, are often the effect of study. 
Nothing affects the nerves so much as intense thought. It in a man- 
ner unhinges the whole human frame, and not only hurts the vital mo- 
tions, but disorders the mind itself. Hence a delirium, melancholy, 
and even madness, are often the effect of close application to study. 
In fine, there is no disease which can proceed either from a bad state 
of the humours, a defect of the usual secretions, or a debility of the 
nervous system, which may not be induced by intense thinking. 

But the most afflicting of all the diseases which attack the studious 
is the hypochondriack. This disease seldom fails to be the companion 
of deep thought. It may rather be called a complication of maladies 
than a single one. To what a wretched condition are the best of men 



5* THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, 

often reduced by it ! Their strength aod appetite fail; a perpetual gleoin 
liangs over their minds ; they live in the constant dread of death, and 
are continually in search of relief from medicine ; where, alas ! it is 
not to be found. Those who labour under this disorder, though they 
are often made the subject of ridicule, justly claim our highest sympa* 
thy and compassion. 

Hardly any thing can be more preposterous than for a person to make 
study his sole business. A mere student is seldom an useful member 
of society. He often neglects the most important duties of life, in or- 
der to pursue studies of a very trifling nature. Indeed it rarely hap- 
pens that any useful invention is the effect of mere study. The farther 
men dive into profound researches, they generally deviate the more from 
common sense, and too often loose sight of it altogether. Profound 
speculations, instead of making men wiser or better, generally render 
them absolute sceptics, and overwhelm them with doubt and uncertain- 
ty. All that is necessary for a man to know, in order to be happy, is 
easily obtained ; and the rest, like the forbidden fruit, serves only to 
increase his misery. 

Studious persons, in Order to relieve their minds, must not only dis- 
continue to read and write, but engage in some employment or diver- 
sion that will not so far occupy the thought as to make them forget the 
business of the closet. A solitary ride or walk are so far from relax- 
ing the mind, that they rather encourage thought. Nothing can divert 
the mind when it gets into a train of serious thinking, but attention to 
subjects of a more trivial nature. These prove a kind of play to the 
mind, and consequently relieve it. 

^Learned men often contract a contempt for what they call trifling 
company. They are ashamed to be seen with any but philosophers. 
This however is no proof of their being philosophers themselves. No 
man deserves that name who is ashamed to unbend his mind, by asso- 
ciating with the cheerful and gay. Even the society of children will 
relieve the mind, and expel the gloom which application to study is too 
apt to occasion. 

As studious people are necessarily much within doors, they should 
make choice of a large and well aired place for study. This would 
uot only prevent the bad effects which attend confined air, but would 
cheer the spirits, and have a most happy influence both on the body 
and mind. It is said of Euripides the tragedian, that he used to retire 
to a dark cave to compose his tragedies, aud of Demosthenes the Gre- 
cian orator, that he chose a place for a study where nothing could be 
either heard or seen. With all deference to such venerable names, we 
cannot help coHiiemning their taste. A man may surely think to a» 
good purpose iu an elegant apartment as in a cave; and may have ai 
happy conceptions where the all-cheering rays of the sun vender *h% 
*ir wholesome, as in places where they never enter. 



AND THE STUDIOUS. 55 

Those who read or write much should be very attentive to their pos- 
ture. They ought to sit and stand by turns, always keeping as nearly 
in an erect posture as possible. Those who dictate, may do it walk- 
ing. It has an excellent effect frequently to read or speak loud. This 
not only exercises the lungs, but almost the whole body. Hence stu- 
dious people are greatly benefited by delivering discourses in public. 
Public speakers, indeed, sometimes fyurt themselves, by overacting their 
part ; but that is their own. fault. The martyr to mere vociferation 
merits not our sympathy. 

The morning has, by all medical writers, been reckoned the best 
time for study. It is so. But it is also the most proper season for ex- 
ercise, while the stomach is empty, and the spirits refreshed with sleep. 
Studious people should therefore sometimes spend the morning in walk- 
ing, riding, or some manly diversions without doors. This would make 
them return to study with greater alacrity, and would be of more sex- 
vice than twice the time after their spirits are worn out with fatigue. 
It is not sufficient to take diversion only when we can think ao longer. 
Every studious person should make it a part of his business, and should 
let nothing interrupt his hours of recreation more than those of study. 

Music has a very happy effect in relieving the mind when fatigued 
with study. It would be well if every studious person were so far ac- 
quainted with that science as to amuse himself after severe thought, by 
playing such airs as have a tendency to raise the spirits, and inspire 
cheerfulness and good humour. 

It is a reproach to learning, that any of her votaries, to relieve the 
mind after study, should betake themselves to the use of strong liquors.^ 
This indeed is a remedy; but it is a desperate one, and always proves 
destructive. Would such persons, when their spirits are low, get ob 
horseback, and ride ten or a dozen miles, they would find it a more ef- 
fectual remedy than any cordial medicine in the apothecary's shop, or 
all the strong liquors in the world. 

The following is my plan, and I cannot recommend b, better to oth* 
ers. When my mind is fatigued with study, or other serious business, 
I mount my horse, and ride ten or twelve miles into the country, where 
I spend a day, and sometimes, two with a cheerful friend ; after which 

* " To such persons," says. Dr. Rush, " it may be a discovery to 
know, that tea is a much better remedy for that purpose. By its grate- 
ful and gentle stimulus, it removes fatigue, restores the excitement of 
the mind, and invigorates the whole system. I am no advocate for the 
excessive use of tea. When taken too strong, it is hurtful, especially 
to the female constitution ; but, when taken of a moderate degree o£ 
strength, and in moderate quantities, with sugar and cream, pr milk, I 
believe it is, in general, innoxious, and, at all times, to be preferred tQ 
«rdent spirits, as a cordial for studious men." a. s. 



SO OF ALIMENT. 

I never fail to return to town with new vigour, and to pursue my stu- 
dies or business xy'v'u fresh alacrity. 

It is much to be regretted, that learned men, while in health, pay so 
little regard to thc?e things ! There is not any thing more common than 
to see a miserable object over- run with nervous diseases, bathing, walk- 
ing, riding, and, in a word, doing every thing tor health after it is gone; 
yet, if any one had recommeuded these things to him by way of pre^ 
ventiou, the advice would, in all probability, have been treated with 
contempt, or, at least, with ueglect. Such is the weakness and folly of 
mankind, and sucli the want of foresight, even in those who ought to be 
wiser than others ! 

With regard to the diet of the studious, we see no reason why they 
should abstain from r;ny kind of food that is wholesome, provided they 
use it in moderation. They ought, however, to be sparing in the use 
of every thing that is windy, rancid, or hard of digestion. Their sup- 
pers should always be light, or taken soon in the evening. Their drink 
may be water, fine mail liquor, not too strong, good cyder, wine and 
water, or, if troubled with aeidities, water mixed with a little brandy, 
rum, or any other genuine spirit. 

We shall only observe, with regard to those kinds of exercise which 
are most proper for the studious; that they should not be too violent, 
oor ever carried to the degree of excessive fatigue. They ought like- 
wise to be frequently varied so as to give action to all the different 
parts of the body ; and should, as often as possible, be taken in the 
open air. In general, riding on horseback, walking, working in a gar- 
den, or playing at some active diversions, are the best. 

We would likewise recommend the use of the cold bath to the studi- 
ous. It will, in some measure, supply the place of exercise, and should 
not. be neglected by persons of a relaxed habit, especially in the warm 
season. 

No person ouglit either to take violent exercise or to study iuuredi-. 
ately after a full meal. 



CHAPTER HI. 

OF ALIMENT, 

UNWHOLESOME feed, and irregularities of diet, o«casi©D 
many diseases. There is no doubt but the whole constitution 
of body may be changed by diet alone. The fluids may be thereby 
attenuated or condensed, rendered mild or accrimonious, coagulated or 
diluted, to almost any degree. Nor are its effects upon the solids less 



OF ALIMENT. 5? 

considerable. They may be braced or relaxed, have their sensibility, 
motions, &c. greatly increased or diminished, by different kinds of ali- 
ment. A very small attention to these things will be sufficient to she -, 
how much the preservation of health depends upon a proper rfc;iraeu 
of the diet. 

Nor is an attention to diet necessary for the preservation of health 
®nly ; it is likewise of importance in the cure of diseases. Every in- 
tention in the cure of many diseases, may be answered by diet alone. 
Its effects Indeed are not always so quick as those of medicine, but they 
are generally more lasting ; besides, it is neither so disagreeable to the 
patient, nor so dangerous as medicine, and is always more easily ob- 
tained. 

.Our intention here is not to inquire minutely into the nature and prop- 
erties of the various kinds of aliment in use among mankind ; nor to 
show their effects upon the different constitutions of the human body ; 
but to mark some of the most pernicious errors which ptople are apt to 
fall into, with respect both to the quantity and quality of iheir food, 
and to point out their influence upon health. 

It is not indeed an easy matter to ascertain the exact quantity of 
food proper for every age, sex, and constitution; but a scrupulous ni- 
. cety here is by no means necessary. The best rule is to avoid all ex- 
tremes. Mankind were never intended to weigh and measure their 
food. Nature teaches every creature when it has enough ; and the 
calls of thirst and hunger are sufficient to inform them when more is 
necessary. 

Though moderation is the chief rule with regard to the quantity, yet 
the quality of food merits a farther consideration. There are many 
ways by which provisions may be rendered unwholesome. Bad sea<- 
sons may either prevent the ripening of grain, or damage it afterwards. 
These, indeed, are acts of Providence, and we must submit to them ; 
but surely no punishment can be too severe for those who suffer pro- 
visions to spoil by hoarding them, on purpose to raise the price, or who 
promote their own interest by adulterating the necessaries of life.* 

Animal, as well as vegetable food, may be rendered unwholesome, 
by being kept too long. All animal substances have a constant ten- 
dency to putrefaction; and, when that has proceeded too far, they not 
only become offensive to the senses, but hurtful to health. Diseased 
animals, and such as die of themselves, ought never to be eaten. It is 
a common practice, however, in some grazing countries, for servants 

* The poor, indeed, are generally the first who suffer by unsound 
provisions; but the lives of the labouring poor are of great importance to 
the state : besides, diseases occasioned by unwholesome food often 
prove infectious, by which means they reach people in every station. 
It is therefore the interest of all to take care that no spoilt provisions 
<?£ my kind be exposed to sale, l 



53 OF ALIMENT. 

and poor people to eat such animals as die of any disease, or are kill- 
ed by accident. Poverty, indeed, may oblige people to do this; but 
they had better eat a smaller quantity of what is sound and wholesome y 
it woiuM boih afford a better nourishment, and be attended with less 
danger. 

The injunctions given to the Jews, not to eat any creature which died 
of itself, seemed to have a strict regard to health ; and ought to be ob- 
served by Christians as well as Jews. Animals never, die themselves 
without some previous disease; but how adiseast'l animal should be 
wholesome food, is inconceivable ; even tho^e which die by accident 
must be hurtful, as their blood is irdxed with the flesh, and soon turns 
putrid. 

Animals which feed grossly, as lams ducks, hogs, &c. are neither 
so easily digested, nor afford such wholesome nourishment as others, 
No animal can be wholesome which does not take sufficient exercise- 
Most of our stalled cattle are crammed with gross food, but not allow- 
ed exercise nor free air ; by which mains they indeed grow fat, but 
their juices not being properly prepared or assimilated, remain chide, 
and occasion indigestions, gross humours, and oppression of the spirits, 
iu tho*ke who feed upon them. 

Animals are often rendered unwholesome, by being overheated. Ex- 
cessive heat causes a fever, exalts' the animal salts, and .mixes the bl 
so intimately with the flesh, that it cannot he separated. For this rea- 
son, butchers should be severely punished who over-drive their cattle. 
JSo person would chuse to eat the flesh of an animal which had died iu 
a high fever; yet this is the case with all cver-drove cattle; aud the 
fever is often raised even to the degree oi ir.adne-s. 

But this is not the only way by whicii butchers render, meat unwhole- 
some. The abominable custom of filling the regular membrane witft 
air, in order to make thera appaax fat, is every day practised. This 
not only spoils the meat, and veudtrs it unfit for keeping, but is such 
a dirty trick, that the very idea of it is sufficient to disgust a po-son of 
any delicacy at every thing which comes from the shamble. Who 
can bear the thought of eating meal which has been blown up with 
from the lungs of a dirty fellow, perhaps labouring under the very 
worst of diseases ? 

Butchers have likewise a method of filling the cellular nKinbranes; 
of animals with blood. This make* the meet seem fatter, and lfkev 
Teigh more, but is notwithstanding a very pernicious custom, ;*s it 
both renders the meet unwholesome and unfit "for keeping. 1 srfilorii 
see a piece of meat f.om the shamble?, where the blood is not diffused 
through the cellular texture. 1 shall not say that this is always the 
effect of design; but am certain it. is not the case with auimals dip' 
killed for domestic use, and properly blooded. 

Veal seems to be moit frequently spoilt in this way. Perhaps 
may in some measure be owing to the practice-of cru'ryiug cab 



OF ALIMENT. U> 

s great distance to market, by which means their tender flesh is bruis- 
ed, and many of their vessels burst, 

No people in the wovld eat such quantities of animal fosd as the Eng- 
lish, which is one reason why they are so generally tainted with the 
scurvy, audits numerous train of consequences, indigestion, low spirits 9 
hypochoudriacism, &z. Animal food was surely designed for man, and 
with a proper mixture of vegetables, it will be found the most whole- 
some ; but to gorge beef, mutton, pork, fish, and fowl, twice or thrice 
a- day, is certainly too much. All who value health ought to be con- 
tented with makiDg one meal of flesh in twenty-four hours, and this 
ought to consist of one kind only. 

The most obstinate scurvy has often been cured by a vegetable di~ 
et; nay, milk alone will frequently do more in that disease than any 
medicine. Hence it is evident, that if vegetables and milk were more 
used in diet, we should have less scurvy, and likewise fewer putrid and 
inflammatory fevers. Fresh vegetables, indeed, come to be daily more 
^ised in diet; this laudable practice we hope will continue to gaife 
ground. 

Our aliment ought neither to be too moist nor too dry. Moist ali ! 
meut relaxes the solids, and renders the body feeble. Thus we see 
females, who live much on tea and other watery diet, generally be- 
come weak and unable to digest solid food ; hence proceed hysterics, 
and all their dreadful consequences. On the other hand, food that is 
too dry, renders the solids in a manner rigid, and the humours viscid, 
which disposes the body to inflammatory fevers, scurvies, and the like., 

Much has been said on the ill effects of lea in diet. They are, no 
doubt, numerous; but they proceed rather from the imprudent use of 
it, than from any bad qualities in the tea itself. Tea is now the uni- 
versal breakfast in this part of the world, but the morning is surely the 
most improper time of the day for drinking it. Most delicate personF> 
who, by the bye, are the greatest tea drinkers, cannot eat any thing 
in the morning. If such persons, after fasting ten or twelve hours, drink 
four or five cups of green tea, without eating scarcely any bread, it 
must hurt them. Good tea, taken in a moderate quantity , not too strong, 
nor too hot, hbr drank upon ah empty' stomach, will seldom do harm ; 
but if it be bad, which is often the case, or substituted in the room of 
solid food, it must have many ill effects. 

The arts of cookery render many things unwholesome, which are 
not so in their own nature. By jumbling together a number of diffe- 
rent ingredients, ib order to make a poignant sauce, or rich soup, the 
composition proves almost a poison. All high seasoning, pickles, &c. 
are only incentives to luxury, and never fail to hurt the stomach. It 
were well for mankind, if cookery, as an art, were entirely prohibit- 
ed. Plain roasting or boiling is all that the stomach requires. These 
alone are sufficient for people iu health, and the sick have still lefc 
"toeed of a cook, 



60 OF ALIMENT. 

The liquid part of our aliment likewise claims our attention. Water 
is not only the basis of most liquors, but also composes a great part of 
our solid food. Good water must therefore be of the greatest impor- 
tance in d;et. The best water is that which is most pure, and free from 
any mixtare of foreign bodies* Water takes up parts of most bodies 
With wjucn it comes into contact ; by this means it is often impregna- 
ted with metals or minerals of a hurtful or poisonous nature. Hence 
tue inhabitants of some hilly countries have peculiar diseases, which ic 
ail probability proceed from the water Thus the people who live 
Alps in Switzerland, and the inhabitants of the Peak of Der- 
by iu Englaud, have large tumours or wens on their necks. This dis- 
ease ia generally imputed to the snow water ; but there is more reason 
to believe it is owing to the minerals in the mountains through which 
the waters p.tss. 

When water is impregnated with foreign bodies, it generally appears 
by its weight, colour, taste, smell, heat, or some other sensible quality. 
Our business therefore is to choose such water, for common use, as is 
lightest, and without any particular colour, taste, or smell. In most 
places of Britain the inhabitants have it in their power to make choice 
Djf raeir water, and tew tilings would contribute more to health than a 
due attention to this article. But mere iudoleuce often induces people 
to make use of the water that is nearest to them, without considering 
its qualities. 

Before water is brought Into great towns, the strictest attention ought 
to be paid to its qualities, as many diseases may be occasioned or ag- 
gravated by bad water ; and when once it has been procured at a great 
expence, people are unwilling to give it up. 

The common methods of rendering water clear by filtration, or soft, 
by exposing it to to the sun and air, <fec. are so generally known that it 
is unnecessary to spend time in explaining them. We shall only, in 
general, advise all to avoid waters which stagnate long in small lakes, 
ponds, or the like, as such waters ofteu become putrid, by the corrupt- 
ion, of animal and vegetable bodies with which they abound. Even cat- 
tle frequently suffer by drinking, in dry seasons, water which has stood 
long iu small reservoirs, without being supplied by springs, or freshen- 
ed with showers. All wells ought to be kept clean, and to have a free 
communication with the air. 

As fermented liquors, notwithstanding they have been exclaimed 
against by many writers, still continue to be the common drink of al- 
rnoFt every person who can afford them ; we shall rather endeavour to 
assist people in the choice of these liquors, than pretend to condemn what 
custom has so firmly established. It is not the moderate use of sound 
fermented liquors which hurts mankind : it is excess, and using such 
as are ill prepared or vitiated. 

Fermented liquors, which are too strong, hurt digestion; and the 
body is so far from being .strengthened by them, that it is weakened 



OF ALIMENT. U 

fcad relaxed. Many imagine that hard labour could Dot be supported 
Without drinking strong liquors; this is a vexy erroneous notion. Men 
Who never taste strong liquors are not only able to endure more fatigue, 
but also live much longer than those who use them daily. But, sup- 
pose strong liquors did enable a man to do more work, they must nev- 
ertheless waste the powers of life,' and occasion premature old age. They 
keep up a constant fever > which exhausts the spirits, inflames the bloody 
and disposes the body to numberless diseases* 

But fermented liquors may be too Weak as Well as too strong ; when 
that is the case, they must either be drank new, or ibey become sour 
and dead : when such liquors are drank new, the fermentation not be- 
ing over, they generate air in the bowels, and occasion flatulencies ; 
and, when kept till stale, they turn sour on the stomach, and hurt di- 
gestion. For this reason all malt liquor, cider, &c. ought to be of such 
strength as to keep till they be ripe, and then they should be used. 
"When such liquors are kept too long, though they should not become 
sour, yet they generally contract a hardness which renders them ul> 
wholesome* 

All families, who can, oUght to prepare their own liquors. Since 
preparing and vending of liquors became one of the most general branch- 
es of business, every method has been tried to adulteratethem. The 
great object both to the makers and venders of liquors is, to render it 
intoxicating* and to give it the appearance of age. But it is well known 
that this may be done by other ingredients, than those which ought to 
be used for making it strong. It would be imprudent even to name 
those things which are daily made use of to render liquoxs heady Suf- 
fice it to say, that the practice is very common, and that all the ingre- 
dients used for this purpose are of a narcotic or stupefactive quality. 
But as all opiates are poisonous, it is easy to see what must be the con- 
sequence of their general use. Though they do not kill suddenly, yet 
they hurt the nerves, relax and weaken the stomach, and spoil the di- 
gestion. . 

Were fermented liquors faithfully prepared, kept to a proper age, 
and used in moderation, they would prove real blessings to mankind. 
But, while they are ill prepared, various ways adulterated, /ind taken 
to excess, they must have many pernicious effects. 

We would recommend it to families, not oaly to prepare their owo 
liquors, but likewise their bread. Bread is so necessary a part of di- 
et, that too much care cannot be bestowed in order to have it sound and 
wholesome. For this purpose, it is not only necessary that it be made 
of good grain, but likewise properly prepared, and kept free from all 
unwholesome ingredients. This, how T ever, we have reason to believe 
is not always the case with bread prepared by those who make a trade 
t*f vending it. Their object is rather to please the eye, thaH to consult 
tfee health. The best bread is that which is neither totf coarse nor toe 



% OF ALIMENT. 

fine; well fermented, and made of wheat flower, or rather of v, 
and-rye mixed together. 

To specify the different kinds of aKmeut, to explain their nature and 
"properties, and to point out their effects in different constitutions, would 
far exceed the limits of our design. Instead of a detail of this kind, 
■which, would not be generally understood, and of course little attended 
to, we shall only mention the following easy rules with respect to the 
choice of aliment. 

Persons whose solids are weak and relaxed, ought to avoid all viscid 
fcod, or such things as are hard of digestion. Their diet, however, 
ought to be nourishing; and they should take sufficient exercise in the 
open air. 

Such as abound with blood should be sparing in the use of every 
thing that is highly nourishing, as fat meat, rich wio.es, strong ale, and 
such like. Their food should consist chiefly of bread and other vege- 
table substances ; and their drink ought to be water, whey or small 
beer. 

Fat people should no^ eat freely of oily nourishing diet. They ought 
frequently to use horse-raddhh, garlic, spices, or such things as are 
beating and promote perspiration and urine. Their drink should be 
water, coffee, tea, or the like; and they ought to take much exercise and 
little sleep. 

Those who are too lean must follow an opposite course. 

Such as are troubled with acidities, or whose "food is apt to sour oh 
the stomach, should live much on animal food ; and those who are af- 
flicted with hot billious eructations, ought to use a diet consisting chief- 
ly of acid vegetables. 

People who are afflicted with the gout, low spirits, hypochondriac or 
hysteric disorders, ought to avoid all flatulent food, every thing that is 
viscid, or hard of digestion, all salted or smoke-dried provisions, and what- 
ever is austere, acid, or apt to turn sour on the stomach. Their food 
should be light, spare, cool, and of an opening nature. 

The diet ought not only }o be suited to the age and constitution, but 
also to the manner of life; a sedentary or studious person should live 
more sparingly than one who labours hard without doors. Many kinds 
of food will nourish a peasant very well which would be almost indi- 
gestible to a citizen; and the latter '"will'live upon a diet ou which the 
former would starve. 

Diet ought not to be too uniform. The constant use of one kind of 
food might have some bad effects. Nature teaches us this, by the 
#re:tt variety of aliment which she has provided for man, and likewise 
»y giving him an appetite for different kinds of food. 

Those who labour under any particular disease, ought to avoid such 
aliments as have a tendency to increase it; for example, a gouty per- 
son should not indulge in rich wines, strong soups, or gravies, and 
Should avoid all acids. One who is troubled with the gravel ought & 



. OF ALIMENT. ©$ 

* ( 

$»uri, all- austere and astringent aliments ; and those who are scorbutic 
should be sparing in the use of salted provisions, &c. 

la the first period of life, our food ought to be light, but nourishing, 
r and frequently taken. Food that is solid, with a sufficient degree of 
tenacity, is most proper for the state of manhood; The diet suited to 
the last period of life, when nature is upon the decline, approaches 
nearly to that of the first. It should be lighter and more succulent thaa 
that of vigorous age, and likewise more frequently taken. 

It is not only necessary for health that our diet be wholesome, but 
also that it be taken at regular periods. Some imagine that long fasting wilS 
atone for excess; but this, instead of mending the matter, generally 
makes it worse. When the stomach and intestines are over distended 
with food, they lose their proper tone,-and, by long fasting, they become 
weak, and inflated with wind. Thus, either gluttony or fasting des- 
troys the powers of digestion. 

The frequent repetition of aliment is not only necessary for repair- 
ing the continual waste of our bodies, but likewise to keep the fluids 
Bound and sweet. Our humours, even in the most healthy state, have 
$ constant tendency to putrefaction, which can only be prevented by 
frequent supplies of fresji nourishment : when that is wanting too long, 
the putrefaction often proceeds so far as to occasion very dangerous fee 
vers. From hence we may learn the necessity of regular meals. No 
person can enjoy a good state of health, whose vessels are either fre- 
quently overcharged, or the humours long deprived of fresh supplies 
of chyle. 

Long fasting is extremely hurtful to young people ; it not only viti- 
ates their humours, but prevents their growth. Nor is it less injurious 
to the aged. Most persons, in the decline of life, are afflicted with 
wind : this complaint is not only increased, but even rendered dange- 
rous, and often fatal, by long* fasting. Old people, when their stomachc 
are empty, are frequently seized with giddiness, head-achs, and faint- 
saess. These complaints may generally be removed by a piece of bread 
^ad a glass of wine, or taking any other solid food ; which plainly points 
cut the method of preventing them. 

It is more than probable, that many of the sudden deaths, which 
liappen in the advanced periods of life, are occasioned by fasting too 
long, as it exhausts the spirits, and fills the bowels with wind : we would 
therefore advise people in the decline of life, never to allow their stom- 
achs to be too long empty. Many people take nothing but a few cups 
of tea and a little bread, from nine o^lock at night till two or three 
$ext afternoon. Such maybe said to fast almost tiiree fourths of then 
time. This can hardly fail to ruin the appetite, vitiate the humours., 
and fill the bowels with wind ; all which might be prevented by a solid 
breakfast. 

It is a very common practice to eat a light breakfast and a heavy 
fyjpper. This custom ought to be reversed. When people sup late s 



64 OF ALIMENT. 

tbeir supper should be very light; but the breakfast ought always te> 
be solid. If any one eats a licht supper, goes soon to bed, and rises 
betimes in the morning, he will be sure to find an appetite for his break- 
fast, and he may freely indulge it. 

The strong and healthy do not indeed suffer so mnch from fasting 
as the weak and delicate; but they run great hazard from its opposite, 
viz. repletion. Many diseases, especially fevers, are the effect of a 
plethora, or too great fullness of the vessels. Strong people, in high 
health, have generally a great quantity of blood and other humours. 
When these are suddenly increased, by an overcharge of rich and 
Dourishing diet, the vessels become too much distended, and obstruct- 
ions and inflammations ensue. Hence so many people are seized with 
inflammatory and eruptive fevers, apoplexies, &c. after a feast or de- 
bauch. 

AH great and Hidden changes in diet are dangerous. What the 
stomach has been long accustomed to digest, though less wholesome, 
will agree better with it than food of a more salutary nature to which 
it has not been used. When therefore a change becomes necessary, it 
ought always to be made gradually ; a sudden transition from a poor 
and low, to a rich and luxurious diet, or the contrary, might so dis- 
turb the functions of the body as to endanger health, ox even to occa- 
sion death itself. 

When we recommend regularity in diet, we would not be understood 
as condemning every small deviation from it. It is next to impossible 
for people at all times to avoid some degree of excess, and living too 
much by rule might make even the smallest deviation dangerous. It 
may therefore be prudent to vary a little, sometimes taking more, some- 
times less, than the usual quantity of meat and drink, provided always 
that a due regard be had to moderation. 



§ Notwithstanding" our author's omission T>f a general account of the 
qualities of the different kinds of animal and vegetable food most com- 
monly used in diet, we think the following not unworthy attention. 

" Beef. — Wlieu this is the flesh of a bullock of middle age, it affords 
good and stroug nourishment, and is peculiarly well adapted to those 
who labour, or take much exercise. It will often sit easy upon the 
stomachs that can digest no other kind of food ; and its fat is almost as 
easily digested as that of veal. 

" real is a proper food for persons recovering from an indisposition, 
and may even be given to febrile patients in a very weak state, but it 
affords less nourishment than the flesh of the sanfe animal in a state of 
maturity. The fat of it is lighter than that of any other animal, and 
shows the least disposition to putresceucy. Veal is a rcry suitable food 



OF ALIMENT. 6$ 

fa costive habits; but of all meat it is the least calculated for removing 
an acid from the stomach. 

" Mutton, from the age of four to six years, and fed on dry pasture, 
is an excellent meat. It is of a middle kind between the firmness of 
beef and the tenderness of veal. The lean part of mutton, however, 
is the most nourishing, and conducive to health ; the fat being hard of 
digestion. The head of the sheep, especially when divested of the 
skin, is very tender ; and the feet, on account of the jelly they contain, 
highly nutritive. 

" Lamb is not so nourishing as mutton ; but it is light, and extreme- 
ly suitable to delicate stomachs. 

" House-lamb, though -much esteemed by many, possesses the bad 
qualities common to the flesh of all animals reared in an unnatural way. 
" Pork affords rich and substantial nourishment ; and its juices are 
wholesome when properly fed, and when the animal enjoys pure air 
and exercise. But the flesh of hogs reared in towns is both hard of 
digestion and unwholesome. Pork is particularly improper for those 
who are liable to any foulness of the skin. It is almost proverbial, that 
a dram is good for promoting its digestion : but this is an erroneous 
notion : for, though a dram may give a momentary stimulus to the coats 
of the stomach, it tends to harden the flesh, and of course, to make it 
more indigestible. 

" Srnoakedhqrqs are a strong kind of meat, and rather fit for a rel- 
ish than for diet. It is the quality of all salted meat that the fibres be- 
come rigid, and therefore more difficult of digestion ; and when to 
this is added smoaking, the heat of the chimney occasions the salt to 
concentrate, and the fat between the muscles to become rancid. 

" Bacon is also of an indigestible quality, and is apt to turn rancid 
on weak stomachs. 

" The flesh of goats is hard and indigestible ; but that of kids is 
tender, as well as delicious, and affords good nourishment. 

" Venison, or the flesh of deer, and that of hares, is of a nourishing 
quality; but is liable to one inconvenience ; which is, that though much 
disposed to putrescency of itself, it must be kept for a little time before 
it becomes tender. 

" The blood of animals is used as aliment by the common people : 
but they could not long subsist upon it unless mixed with oatmeal, &c. 
for it is not soluble alone by the digestive powers of the human stom- 
ach, and therefore cannot be nourishing. 

•' Milk is of very different consistence in different animals ; but that 
of cows being the kind used in diet, is at present the object of our 
attention. Milk, where it agrees with the stomach, affords excellent 
nourishment for those who are weak, and cannot digest other aliments,. 
Though an animal production, it does not readily become putrid, as 
being possessed of the properties of Vegetable aliment ; but it is apt to 
become sour on the stomach, and thence to produce flatulence, the heart : 
9 



S3 OF ALIMENT. 

barn, or gripes, and, in some constitutions, a loosenes?. The be si milk., 
is from a cow at three or four years of age, about two months after pro- 
ducing a calf. It is lighter, but more watery, than the milk of sheep. 
and goats ; while, on the other hand, it is more thick and heavy thau 
the milk of asses and mares, which are the uext in consistence to hu- 
man milk. 

" On account of the acid which is generated after digestion, milk 
coagulates in all stomachs ; but the caseous or cheesy part is again dis- 
solved by the digestive juices, and rendered fit for the purpose of nu- 
trition. It is however, improper to eat acid substances with milk, ao 
these would tend to prevent the due digestion of it. 

" Cream is veiy nourishing, but ou account of its fatness is difficult 
to be digested in weak stomachs. Violent exercise after eating it, will 
in a little time convert it into butter, 

" Some writers inveigh against the use of Butter as universally per- 
nicious ; but they might with equal reason condemn all vegetable oils, 
which form a considerable part of diet in the southern climates, and 
seem to have been beneficently intended by nature for that purpose. 
Butter, like every other oily substance, has doubtless a relaxing qual- 
ity, and, if long retained in the stomach, is liable to become rancid ; 
but, if eaten iu moderation, it will not produce those effects in any 
hurtful degree. It is, however, improper in billious constitutions. 
The worst consequence produced by butter, when eaten with bread, 
is, that it obstructs the discharge of the saliva in the act of mastication 
or chewing ; by which means the food is not so readily digested. To 
obviate this effect, it would be a commendable practice at breakfast, 
first to eat some dry bread, and chew it well, till the salivary glands 
were exhausted, and afterwards to eat it with butter. By these means 
such a quantity of saliva might be carried into the stomach as would 
be sufficient for ','ie purpose of digestion. 

" Cheeseis likewise reprobated by many as extremely unwholesome- 
It is doubtless not easy of digestion ; and, when eaten in a great quan- 
tity, may load the stomach; but, if taken sparingly, its tenacity may be: 
dissolved by the digestive juices, and it may yield a wholesome, though 
not a very nourishing chyle. Toasted cheese is agreeable to most 
palatfs, but is rendered more indigestible by that process. 

" The flesh of Birds differs in quality according to the food on 
"which they li\*e. Such as feed on grain and berries afford, in general, 
good nourishment, if we except %ccse and ducks, which are hard of 
digestion. A young hm or chicken is tender and delicate food, and 
extremely well adapted when the digestive powers are weak. But of 
all tame fowls the capon is the most nutritious. 

Turkies. as well as Guinea er India fowls, afford a substantial ali- 
ment, but are not so easy of digestion as the common domestic fowls. 
|u a}l birds these parts are the meet firm which arc most exercised ; 



OF ALIMENT. CV 

lb the email birds, therefore, the wings, and in the larger kinds, the 
legs, are commonly the most difficult of digestion. 

" The flesh of wild birch, in general, though more easily digested, 
fa less nourishing than that of quadrupeds, as beinj? more dry, on ac~ 
count of their almost constant exercise. Those birds are not whole- 
some which subsist. upon worms, insects, and fishes. 

u Bggs. In the last class of terrestrial animal food we may rank the 
eggs of birds, which are a simple and a wholesome aliment. Those of 
the turkey are superior in all the qualifications of food. The white 
of eggs is dissolved in a warm temperature, but by much heat it is ren- 
dered tough and hard. The yolk contains much oil, and is highly 
nourishing, but. has a strong tendency to putrefaction; on which ac- 
count eggs are improper for people of, weak stomachs, especially when 
they are not quite fresh. Eggs hard boiled or fried are difficult of di- 
gestion, and are rendered still more indigestible by the addition of but- 
ter. AH eggs require a sufficient quantity of salt, to promote their 
solution in the stomach. 

" Fish, though some of them be light, and easy of digestion, afford 
less nourishment than vegetables, or the flesh of quadrupeds, aud are 
of all animal tribes the most disposed to putrefaction. Salt-water fish 
are, in general, the best; but when salted, though less disposed to pu- 
trescency, they become more difficult of digestion. Whitings and 
flounders are the most easily digested. Acid sauces and pickles, by 
resisting putrefaction, are a proper addition to fish, both as they retard 
putresceney, and correct the relaxing tendency of butter, £o generally 
used with this kind of aliment. 

" Oysters are eaten both raw and dressed ; but in the former slate 
they are preferable ; because heat dissipates considerably their nutri- 
tious parts, as well as the salt-water, which promotes their digestion in 
the stomach ; if uot eaten very sparingly, they generally prove laxa- 
tive. 

" Muscles are far inferior to oysters, both in point of digestion and 
nutriment. Sea muscles are by some supposed to be of a poisonous 
nature ; but though this opinion is not much countenanced by experi- 
ence, the safest way is to eat them \vith vinegar, or some other vegeta- 
ble acid. , 

" Bread. At the bead of the vegetable class stands bread, that arti- 
cle of diet, which, from general use, has received the name of the staff 
of life. Wheat is the grain chiefly used for the purpose in this coun- 
try, and is among the most nutritive of all the farinaceous kinds, as it 
contains a great deal of mucilage. Bread is very properly eaten with 
animal food, to correct the disposition to putresceney ; but is most 
expedient with such articles in diet as contain much nourishment in 
a small bulk, because it then serves to give the stomach a proper de- 
gree of expansion. But as it produces a slimy chyle, and disposes to 
sostiveness, it ought not to be eaten in a large quantity. To render 



63 OF ALIMENT. 

bread easy of digestion, it ought to be well fermented and baked ; and 
it never should be used till it has stood twenty four hours after beiug 
taken out of the oven, otherwise it is apt to occasion various complaints 
in those who have weak bowels ; such as flatulence, the heart-burn, 
watchfulness, and the like. The custom of eatiug butter with bread 
hot from the oven is compatible only with strong digestive powers. 

" Pastry, especially when hot, has all the disadvantages of hot bread 
and butter ; and even buttered toast, though the bread is stale, is scarce- 
ly inferior in its effects on a weak stomach. Dry toast without butter 
is by far the wholesomest breakfast. 

" Bread made of Rye is apt to sour on the stomach, and to excite 
heart-burn in certain constitutions — is of a laxative nature, ond there- 
foie, better suited to costive habits, either alone, or mixed with wheat i 
But on account of its disposition to ace9cency, fermentation, and flatu- 
lency, may not be so well adapted for persons of choleric tempera- 
ments, and those afflicted with dyspeptic, hypochondriac, and hysteric 
symptoms : yet, it is the best to prevent or cure the scurvy. 

" That made of Indian Corn appears to agree well with most people 
who like it : and when mixed with wheat or rye, or both, it makes 
them palatable, and keeps moist a considerable time. 

" Buck wheat being somewhat liable to an acescent fermentation in 
the stomach, does not agree well with all constitutions. The grain 
should, previous to being ground, be freed from the dust and grit. It 
is supposed that its use occasions itchings and cutaneous eruptions — 
and constantly used, is not thought so wholesome as other bread. 

" Oats, when deprived of the husk, and particularly barley, when 
properly prepared, are each of Ihem softening, and afford wholesome 
and cooling nourishment. Rice likewise contains a nutritious muci- 
lage, and is less used in this country than it deserves, both on account 
r>f its wholesomeness and economical utility. The notion of its being 
hurtful to the sight is a vulgar error. In some constitutions it tends 
to make them costive ; but this seems to be owing chiefly to flatulence, 
and may be corrected by the addition of some spice, such as caraway, 
anise seed, and the like. 

" Potatoes are an agreeable and wholesome food, and yield as much 
nourishment as any of the roots used in diet. The farinaceous or mealy 
kind is in general the most easy of digestion ; and they are much im- 
proved by being roasted. 

" Green ■pease and Turkey beans, boiled in their fresh state, are both 
agreeable to the taste, and wholesome; being neither near so flatulent, 
nor difficult of digestion, as in their ripe state; in which they resemble 
the other legumiuous vegetables. French beans possess much the same 
qualities, but yield a more watery juice, and have a greater disposition 
"to produce flatulence. The leguminous vegetables in general ought t'c 
$ie eaten with some spice. 



OF ALIMENT m 

" Sallads, being eaten raw, require good digestive powers, especiaU 
ly those of the cooling kind ; and the addition of oil and vinegar, though 
quailed with mustard, hardly renders the free use of them consistent 
with the weak stomach. 

" Spinage affords a soft lubricating aliment, but contains little nour- 
ishment. In weak stomachs it is apt to produce acidity, and frequent- 
ly a looseness. To obviate these effects, it ought always to be well 
beaten, and but little butter mixed with it. 

" Asparagus is a nourishing article in diet, and promotes urine ; 
but^ in common with the vegetable class, disposes a little to flatulence. 

" Articlwkes resemble asparagus in their qualifes, but seem to be 
more nutritive and less diuretic. 

" White cabbage is one of the most conspicuous plants in the garden, 
it does not afford much nourishment, but is an agreeable addition to 
animal food, and not quite so flatulent as the common greens. It is 
likewise diuretic, and somewhat laxative. Cabbage has a stronger ten- 
dency to putrefaction than most other vegetable substances ; and, du- 
ring their putrefying state, sends forth an offensive smell, much resem- 
bling that of putrefying animal bodies. So far, however, from promo- 
ting a putrid deposition in the human body, it is on the contrary, a whole- 
some aliment in the true putrid scurry. 

"Turnips are a nutricious article of vegetable food, but not very easy 
of digestion, and are flatulent. This effect is, in a great measure, ob- 
viated by pressing the water out of them before they are eaten. 

" Carrots contain a considerable quantity of nutritious juice, but are 
among the most flatulent of vegetable productions. 

" Parsnips are more nourishing and less flatulent than carrots, which 
they also exceed in the sweetness of their mucilage. By boiling them 
in two different waters, they are rendered less flatulent, but their other 
qualities are thereby diminished in proportion. 

" Parsley is of a stimulating and aromatic nature, well calculated to 
make agreeable sauces. It is also a gentle diuretic, but preferable in 
all its qualities when boiled. 

" Celery affords a root both. wholesome and fragrant, but is difficult 
of digestion in its raw state. It gives an agreeable taste to soups, as 
well as renders them diuretic. 

" Onions, garlic, and shallots, are all of a stimulating nature, by 
which they assist digestion, dissolve slimy humours, and expel flatulen- 
cy. They are, however, most suitable to persons of a cold and phleg- 
matic constitution. 

" Radishes of all kinds, particularly the horseradish, agree with 
the three preceding articles in powerfully dissolving slimy humours. 
They excite the discharge of air lodged in the intestines ; but this pro- 
ceeds from the expulsion of air contained in themselves. 
., ■■ " Applesare a wholesome vegetable aliment, and in many cases medi- 
cinal, particularly in diseases of the breast and complaints arising frori 



% Of AhiMENV. 

phlegm. But, in general, they agree begt with the stomach when etii- 
en either roasted or boiled. The more aromatic kinds of apples are 
the finest for eating raw. 

*.' Pears resemble much in their effects the sweet kind of apples, 
hut have mere of a laxative quality, aud a greater tendency to flatu- 
lence. 

" Cherries arc, in genera!, a wholesome fruit, when they agree with 
the stomach, and they are beneficial in many diseases, especially those 
of the putrid kind. 

" Plumbs are nourishing, and have besides an attenuating, as well 
as a laxative quality 5 but, are apt to produce flatulence If eaten 
fresh, and before they,are quite ripe, especially in large quantities, they 
occasion cholics and other complaints of the bowels. 

" Peaches are not of a very nourishing quality, but they abound in 
juice, and are serviceable in billious complaints. 

" Apricots are more pulpy than peaches, but are apt to ferment and 
produce acidities in weak stomachs. Where they do not disagree they 
are cooling, and tend likewise to correct a tendency to putrescency. 

"Gooseberries, as well as currants, when ripe, are similar in their 
qnalities to cherries, and, when used in a green state, they are agreeably 
cooling. 

*' Strawberries are an agreeable, cooling aliment, and are accounted 
good against the gravel. 

" Cucumbers are cooling, and agreeable to the palate ia hot weather $ 
but to prevent them from proving hurtful to the stomach the juice ought 
Jo be squeezed out after they are sliced, and vinegar, pepper, and saltj 
afterwards added. 

" Tea. By some the use of this exotic is condemned in terms the 
most vehement and unqualified, while others have either asserted its 
innocence, or goue so far as to ascribe to it salubrious and even extra- 
ordiaary virtues. The truth seems to lie between these extremes ; 
there is however an essential difference in the effects of green tea aud 
of black, or bohea; the former of which is much more apt to affect the 
nerves of the stomach than the latter, especially when drank w ithout 
cream and likewise without bread and butter. That when taken in a 
large quantity, or at a later hour than usual, it often produces watch- 
fulness, is a point which cannot be denied ; but if used in moderation, 
and accompanied with the addition just now mentioned, it does not sen- 
sibly discover any hurtful effects, but greatly relieves an oppression of 
the stomach, and abates a pain of the head. Bought always to be made 
of a moderate degree of strength ; for, if too weak it certainly relaxes 
she stomach. As it has an astringent taste, which seems uot very con- 
sistent v ith a relaxing power, there is ground for ascribing this effect 
Itpt ho much to the herb itself, as to the hot water, which not being im- 
pregnated with a sufficient quantitity of tea to conect its own tmolient 
feadency, produces a relaxation unjustly imputed to some noxious quai' 



OF ALIMENT* ^ 

%ij of the plant. But tea, like every other commodity, is liable to 
damage, and when this happens, it may produoe effects not necessarily 
Connected with its original qualities 

" Coffee. It is allowed that coffee promotes digestion, and exhila- 
rates the animal spirits ; besides which various other qualities are as- 
cribed to it, such as dispelling flatulency, removing dizziness of the 
head, attenuating viscid humours, increasing the circulation of the 
blood, and consequently perspiration; but if drank too strong it affects 
the nerves, occasions watchfulness, and tremor of the hands, though 
in some phlegmatic constitutions it is apt to produce sleep. Indeed 
it is to persons of that habit that coffee is well accommodated ; for to 
people of a thin and dry habit of body it seems to be injurious. Tur- 
key eoffee |s greatly preferable in flavour to that of the West- 
Indies. Drunk only in the quantity-of one dish after dinner to pro- 
mote digestion, it answers best without either sugar or milk : but if ta- 
ken at other limes it should have both, or in place of the latter rather 
cream, which not only improves the beverage but tends to mitigate the 
effect of coffee upon the nerves. 

" Chocolate is a nutritive and wholesome composition if taken in 
small quantity, and not repeated too often ; but is generally hurtful to 
the stomach of those with whom a vegetable diet disagrees. By the; 
addition of vanilla and other ingredients it is made too heating, and so 
much affects particular constitutions as to excite nervous symptoms, 
©specially complaints of the head. 



CHAPTER IV, 

OF AIR. 

* 

UNWHQLESOME air is a very common cause of disease^ 
Few are aware of the danger arising from it. People generally 
pay some attention to what they eat or drink, but seldom regard what 
goes into the lungs, though the latter proves often more suddenly fatal 
than the former. 

Air, as well as water, takes up parts of most bodies with which it 
comes in contact, and is often so replenished with those of a noxious 
quality, as to occasion immediate death. But such violent effects sel- 
dom happen, as people are generally on their guard against them. The 
less perceptible influences, of bad air proves more generally hurtful to 
mankind ; we shall therefore endeavour to point out some of these, and 
to show whence the danger chiefly arises. 



72 OF AIR. 

Air may become noxious many ways. Whatever greatly alters 
its degree of heat, cold, moisture, &c renders it unwholesome ; for 
example, that which is too hot dissipates the watery parts of the 
blood, exalts the bile, and renders the whole humours adust and thick. 
Hence proceed billious and inflammatory fevers, cholera morbus, &c. 
Very cold air obstructs the perspiratiou, constringes the solids, and 
condenses the fluids. It occasions rheumatisms, coughs, and catarrhs, 
with other diseases of the throat and breast. Air that is too moist de- 
stroys the elasticity or spring of the solids, induces phlegmatic or lax 
constitutions, and disposes the body to agues, pr intermitting fevers, 
dropsies, &c. 

Wherever great numbers of people are crowded into one place, if 
the air has not a free circulation, it soon becomes unwholesome. Hence 
it is that delicate persons are so apt to turn sick or faint in crowded 
churches, assemblies, or any place where the air is injured by breath- 
ing, fires, candles, or the like. 

In great cities so many things tend to contaminate the air, that it is 
no wonder it proves so fatal to the inhabitants. The air in cities is not 
only breathed repeatedly over, but is likewise loaded with sulphur, 
smoke, and other exhalations, besides the vapors continually arising 
from innumerable putrid substances, as dunghills, slaughter houses, &c. 
All possible care should be taken to keep the streets of large towns 
open and wide, that the air may have a free current through them. 
They ought likewise to be kept very clean. Nothing tends more to 
pollute and contaminate the uir of a city than dirty streets. 

It is very common in this country to have church-yards in the mid- 
dle of populous cities. Whether this be the effect of ancient supersti- 
tion, or owing to the increase of such towns, is a matter of no conse- 
quence. Whatever gave rise to this custom, it is a bad one. It is 
habit alone which reconciles us to these things ; by means of which the 
most ridiculous, nay pernicious customs, often become sacred. Cer- 
tain it is, that thousands of putrid carcasses, so near the surface of the 
earth, irffci place where the air is confined, cannot fail to taint it; and. 
that such air, when breathed into the lungs, must occasion diseases.* 

Burying within churches is a practice still more detestable. The 
air in churches is seldom good, and the effluvia from putrid carcasses 
must render it still worse. Churches are commonly old buildings with 
arched roofs. They are seldom open above once a week, are never 
ventilated by fires nor open windows, and rarely kept clean. This 
occasions that damp, musty, unwholesome smell which one feels upon 
entering a church, and renders it a very unsafe place for the weak and 

* In mest eastern countries it was custom -vy to bury the dead at 
some distance from auy town. As this practice obtained among the 
Jews, the Creeks, and also the Romans, it is strange that this country 
should not have followed their example in a custom so truly laudable , 

ft 



OF AIR. 73 

valetudinary. These inconveniences might, in a great measure, be ob- 
viated, by prohibiting all persons from burying within churches, by 
keeping them cleau, and permitting a stream of fresh air to pass fre- 
quently through them, by opening opposite doors and wiudows.* 

Wherever air staguates long, it becomes unwholesome. Hence the 
unhappy persons coufiued in jails not only contract raalignaut fevers 
themselves, but ofteu communicate them to others. Nor are nnany of 
the holes, for we cannot call them hou^.S, 'possessed by the poor in 
great towns, much better than jails. These low dirty habitations are 
the very lurking places of bad air and contagious diseases. Such as 
live in them seldom enjoy good health ; and their children commonly 
die young. In the choice of a house, those who have it in their pow- 
er ought always to pay the greatest attention to open free air. 

The various methods which luxury has invented to make houses 
close and warm, contribute not a little to render them unwholesome. 
No house can be wholesome unless the air has a free passage through it. 
For which reason houses ought daily to be ventilated by opening opposite 
windows, and admitting a current of fresh air into every, room. Beds, 
instead of being made up as soon as people rise out of them, ought to be 
turned down, and exposed to the fresh air from the open windows 
through the day. This would expell any noxious vapour, and could 
not fail to promote the health of the inhabitants. 

In hospitals, jails, ships, &c. where that cannot be conveniently done, 
ventilaters should be used. The method of expelling foul and introdu- 
cing fresh air, by means of ventilators, is a most salutary invention, and is 
indeed the most useful of all our modern medical improvements. It is 
capable of universal application, and is fraught with numerous advan- 
tages, both to those in health and sickness. In all places, where num- 
bers of people are crowded together, ventilation becomes absolutely ne- 
cessary. 

Air which stagnates in mines, wells, cellars, &c. is extremely nox- 
ious. That kind of air is to be avoided as the most deadly poison. 
It often kills almost as quickly as lightning. For this reason, people 
should be very cautious in opening cellars that have been long shut, or 
going down into deep wells or pits, especially if they have been kept 
close covered f 

Many people who have splendid houses, chuse to sleep in v small 
apartments. This conduct is very imprudent- A bed chamber ought 

* One cannot pass through a large church or cathedral, even in sum- 
mer, without feeling quite chilly. 

f We have daily accounts of persons who lose their lives by going down 
Into deep wells and other places where the air stagnates ; all these acci- 
dents might be prevented by only letting down a lighted candle before 
them, and stopping when they percieve it go out ; yet this precaution, 
simple as it is, is seldom used. 



U OF AIR. 

always to be well aired ; as it is generally occupied in the night oni), 
when all doors and windows are shut. If a fire be kept in it, the dan- 
ger from a small room becomes still greater. Numbers have been sti- 
fled when asl • p by a fire in a small apartment, which is always hurtful. 

Those who are obliged, on account of business, to spend the day in 
close towns, ought if possible, to sleep in the country. Breathing free 
air in the night jrill, in some measure, make up for the want of it 
through the day. This prftcfoe would have a greater effect in pie- 
serving the healfh of citizens than is commonly imagined. 

Delicate persons ought, as much as possible, to avoid the air of great 
towns. It is peculiarly hurtful to the asthmatic and consump- 
tive. Such persons should avoid cities as they would the plague. 
The hypochondriac ave likewise much hurt by it. I have often seen 
persons so much afflicted with this malady while in town, that it seemed 
impossible for them to live, who, upon being removed to the country, 
were immediately relieved. The same observation holds with regard to 
nervous and hysteric women. Many people, indeed, have it not in their 
power to change their situation in quest of better air. ' All we can say 
to such persons is, that they should go as often abroad into the open 
sir as they can, that they should admit fresh air frequently into their 
houses, and take care to keep them very clean. 

It was necessary in former times, for safety, to surround cities, col- 
leges, and even single houses, ivith high walls. These, by obstructing 
the free current of air, never fail to render such places damp and un- 
wholesome. As such walls are now, in most parts of this country, be- 
come useless, they ought to be pulled down, and every method taken 
to admit a free passage to the air. Proper attention to Air and Clean- 
liness would tend more to preserve the health of mankind, than all the 
prescriptions of the faculty. 

Surrounding houses too closely with planting or thick woods, likewise 
tends to render the air unwholesome. Wood not only obstructs the 
free current of the air, but sends forth great quantities of moist exha- 
lations, which render it constantly damp. Wood is very agreeable at 
a proper distance from a house, but should never be planted too near it, 
especially in a flat country. Many of the gentlemen's seats in England 
arc rendered very unwholesome from the great quantity of wood which 
surrounds them. 

Houses situated in low marshy cpuntries, or near large lakes of stag- 
nating water are likewise unwholesome. Waters which stagnate not 
only render the air damp but load it with putrid exhalations, which pro- 
duce the most dangerous and fatal diseases. Those who ave obliged 
to inhabit marshy countries, ought to make choice of the dryest situa- 
tions they can find, to live generously, and to pay the strictest regard 
tc cleanliness. 

If fresh air be necessary for those in health, it is still more so for 
file sick, w ho ofteo lose their lives for want of it. The notion tlirt sick 
people must be kept very hot, is so common that on§ can hardly enter % 



Of exercise. r$ 

chamber where a patient lies, without being ready to faint, by reason 
of the hot suffocating smell. How this must affect the sick, any one may 
judge. JNo medicine is so beneficial to the sick as fresh air. It is 
the most reviving cf all cordials, if it be administered with prudence. 
We are not however, to throw open doors and windows at random upi- 
on the sick. Fresh air is to be let into the chamber gradually, and if 
possible, by opening the windows of some other apartment. 

The air of a sick person's chamber may be greatly freshened, and 
the patient much revived, by sprinkling the floor, bed, &c. frequently 
with vinegar, juice of lemon, or any other strong vegetable acid. * 

In places where numbers of sick are crowded into the same house, 
or which is often the case, into the same apartment, the frequent ad- 
mission of-fresh air becomes absolutely necessary. Infirmaries, hospi- 
tals, &c are often rendered so noxious, for want of proper ventilation, 
that the sick run more hazard from them than from the disease. This 
is particularly the case when putrid fevers, dysealaries, and other infec- 
tious diseases prevail. 

Physicians, surgeons, and others who attend hospitals, ought, for 
their own safety, to take care that they be property ventilated. Such 
persons as are obliged to spend the most of their time amongst the sick, 
run greatf hazard of being themselves infected when the air is bad. All 
hospitals, and places of reception for the sick, ought to have an open 
situation, at some distance from any great town, and such patients as 
labour under any infectious disease ought never to be suffered to come 
War the rest.* 



CHAPTER V. 

OF EXERCISE, 

MANY people look upon the necessity man is under of earning 
his bread by labour, as a ctfrse. Be this as it may, it is evident 
from the structure of the body, that exercise is not less necessary than 
food for the preservation of health : those whom poverty obliges to la- 
bour for daily bread, are not only the most healthy, but generally the 
most happy part of mankind. Industry seldom fails to place them above 

# A year seldom passes that we do aot hear of some hospital physi- 
cian or surgeon having lost his life by an hospital fever,caught from his 
patients. For this they have themselves alone to blame. Their pa- 
tients are either in an improper situation, or they are too careless with 
'regard to their own conduct. 



?6 OF EXERCISE: 

want, and activity serves them instead of physic. This Is peculiarly 
the case with those who live by the culture of the ground. The great 
increase of inhabitants in infant colonies, aud the longevity of such as fol- 
low agriculture, every where evidently prove it to be the most healthy 
as well as the most useful employment. 

The love of activity shews itself very early in man. So strong ia 
this principle, that a healthy youth cannot be restrained from exercise, 
even by the fear of punishmeut. Our love of motion is surely a strong 
proof ot its utility. Nature implants no disposition in vain. It seems 
tobe a catholic law throughout the whole animal creation, that no crea- 
ture, without exercise, should enjoy health, or be able to find subsist- 
ence. Every creature, except man, takes as much of it as is necessa- 
ry. He alone, and such animals as are under his direction, deviate 
from this original law, and they suffer accordingly. 

Inactivity never fails to induce an universal relaxation of the solids, 
■which disposes the body to innumerable diseases. When the solids 
me relaxed, neither the digestion nor any of the secretions can be duly 
performed. In this case the worst consequences must ensue. How 
can persons who loll all day in easy chairs, and sleep all night on beds 
of down, fail tobe relaxed? Nor do such greatly mend the matter, 
who never stir abroad but in a coach, sedau, or such like. These el- 
egant pieces of luxury are become so common, that the inhabitants of 
great towns seem to be in some danger of losing the use of their limbs 
altogether. It is now below any one to walk, who can afford tu be car* 
ried How ridiculous would it seem, to a person unacquainted with 
modern luxury, to behold the young nod healthy swinging along on the 
shoulders of their fellow creatures! or to Fee a fat carcase, over-run 
with diseases occasioned by inactivity, dragged through the streets by 
half a dozen horses.* 

Glandular obstructors, now ro common, generally proceed from in- 
activity. These are the most obstinate maladies. So long as the liver, 
kidnejs, and other glands, duly perform their functions, health is sel- 
dom impaired; but when they fail, nothing can restore it. Exercise is 
almost the only cure we know for glandular obstructions; indeed it 
does not always succeed as a remedy : but there is reason to believe 
that it would seldom fail to prevent these complaints, were it used in 
clue time. One thing is certain, that amongst those who take sufficient 



* It is not necessity, but fashion, which makes the use of carriages 
fo common. There are many people who have not exercise enough 
to keep their humours wholesome, who yet dare not venture to make a 
visit to their next neighbours, but in a coach or sedan, lot they should 
be looked down upon. Strange, that men should be such fools as (o be 
laughed out of the use of their limbs, or to throw away their health, in 
order to gratify a piece of vanity, or to cemply with a ridiculous fash- 



OF EXERCISE. 77 

♦xercise, glandular diseases are very little known; whereas the indolent 
and inactive are seldom free from them. 

Weak nerves are the constant companions of inactivity. Nothing 
but exercise and open air can brace and strengthen the nerves, or pre- 
vent the endless train of diseases which proceed from a relaxed slate 
of these organs. We seldom hear the active or laborious complain of 
oervoas diseases ; these are reserved for the sons of ease and affluence. 
Many have been completely cured of these disorders by being redu- 
ced, from a state of opulence, to labour for their daily bread. This 
plainly points out the sources from whence nervous diseases flow, and 
the means by which they may be prevented. 

It is absolutely impossible to enjoy health, where the perspiration is 
not duly carried on : but that can never be the case where exercise is 
neglected. When the matter which ought to be thrown off by perspi- 
ration is retained in the body, it vitiates the humours, and occasions the 
gout, fevers, rheumatism, &c Exercise alone would prevent many of 
those diseases which cannot be cured, and would remove others where 
medicine proves ineffectual. 

A late author,* in his excellent treatise on health, says that the weak 
and valetudinary ought to make exercise a part of their religion. We 
would recommend this, not only to the weak and valetudinary, but to 
all whom business does not oblige to take sufficient exercise, as sedenta- 
ry artificers,! shopkeepers, studious persons, &c. Such ought to use 
exercise as regularly as they take food. This might generally be 
done without any interruption to business or real loss of time. 

jNo piece of indolence hurts the health more than the modern custom 
of lying a-bed too long in a morning. This is the general practice in 
great towns. The inhabitants of cities seldom rise before eight or nine 
o'clock ; but the morning is undoubtedly the best time for exercise, 
while the stomach is empty, and the body refreshed with sleep. Besides 

* Cheyne. 

f Sedentary occupations ought chiefly to be followed by women. 
They bear confinement much better than men, and are fitter for every 
kind of business which does not require much strength. It is ridiculous 
enough to see a lusty fellow making pins, needles, or watch wheels, 
while many of the laborious parts of husbandry are carried on by the 
other sex. The fact is, we want men for laborious employments, while 
one half of the other sex are rendered useless for want of occupations 
suited to their strength, &c. Were girls bred to mechanical employ- 
ments, we should not see such numbers of them prostitute themselves fcr 
bread, nor find such a want of men for the important purposes of navi- 
gation, agriculture, &c. An eminent silk manufacturer told me, that he 
found women answer better for that business than men ; and that he 
had lately taken a great many girls apprentices as bilk weavers. I 
hope his example will be followed by many others. 



OF EXERCISE. 

the morning air braces and strengthens the nerves, and in some measure 
answers the purpose of a cold bath. Let any one who has been ac- 
customed to lie a-bed till eight or nine o'clock, rise by six or seven, 
spend a couple of hours in walking, riding, or any active diversion 
■without doors, and he will find his spirits cheerful and serene through 
the day, his appetite keen, and his body braced and strengthened. 
Custom soon renders early rising agreeable, and nothing contributes 
more to the preservation of health. 

The inactive are continually complaining of pains of the stomach, 
flatulencies, indigestions, &c. These complaints, which pave the way 
to many others, are not to be removed by medicines. They can only 
be cured by a vigorous course of exercise, to which indeed they sel- 
dom fail to yield. 

Exercise, if possible, ought always to be taken in the open air. When 
that cannot be done, various methods may be contrived for exercising 
the body within doors, as the dumb bell, dancing, fencing, &c. It is 
jjot necessary to adhere strictly to any particular kind of exercise. 
The best Avay is to take them by turns, and to use that longest which 
is most suitable to the strength and the constitution. Those kinds of 
exercise which gave action to most of the bodily organs, are always 
to be preferred, as walking, running, riding, digging, rubbing furniture, 
and such like. 

It is much to be regretted, that manly and active diversions are now 
ao little practised. Diversions make people take more exercise than 
they otherwise would do, and are of the greatest service to such as are 
not under the necessity of labouring for their bread. As active diver- 
sions lose ground, those of a sedentary kind seem to prevail. Sedenta- 
ry diversions are of no other use but to consume time. Instead of re- 
lieving the mind, they often require more thought than either study or 
business. Every thiug that induces people to sit still, unless it be some 
necessary employment, ought to be avoided. 

The diversions which afford the best exercise are, hunting, shooting, 
playing at cricket, hand-ball, golff* &c. These exercise the limbs, 
promote perspiration and the other secretions. They likew ise strength- 
en the lungs, and give firmness and agility to the whole body. 

Such os can, ought to spend two or three hours a-day on horse-back; 
these who cannot ride, should employ the same time in walking. Ex- 
ercise should never be continued too long. Over- fatigue prevents the 
benefit of exercise, and instead of strengthening the body tends to weak- 
en it. 

GoltV is a diversion very common in North Britain. It is well cal- 
culated lor exercisiug the body, and may always be taken in such mod- 
eration, as neither to over-heat nor fatigue. It has greatly the prefe- 
rence over cricket, tennis, or any of those games which cannot be pl»y- 
M without violence^ 



©F SLEEP AND CLOTHING. 7* 

Every man should lay himself under some sort of necessity to take 
pxercise. Indolence, like other vices when indulged, gains ground, 
«md at length. becomes agreeable. Hence many who were fond of ex- 
ercise in the early part of life, become quite averse to it afterwards: 
This is the case of most hypochondriac aud gouty people, which ren- 
ders their diseases in a great measure incurable. 

In some countries laws have been made, obliging every man, of what- 
ever rank, to learn some mechanical employment. Whether such laws 
were designed for the preservation of health, or the encouragement of 
manufacture, is a question of no importance. Certain it is, that if gen- 
tlemen were frequently to amuse and exercise themselves in this way, 
it might have many good effects. They would at least derive as much 
honour from a few masterly specimens of their own workmanship, aa 
from the character of having ruined most of their companions by ga- 
ming or drinking. Besides men of leisure, by applying themselves to 
the mechanical arts, might improve them, to the great benefit of society. 
Indolence not only occasions diseases, and renders men useless to 
society, but promotes all manner of vice. To say a man is idle, is 
little better than to call him vicious. The mind, if not engaged in 
come useful pursuit, is constantly in quest of idle pleasures, or impres- 
sed with the apprehension of some imaginary evil. From these sources 
proceed most of the miseries of mankind. Certainly man was never 
intended to be idle. Inactivity frustrates the very design of his crea- 
tion ; whereas an active life is the best guardian of virtue, and th§ 
greatest preservative of health. 



CHAPTER VI. 

OF SLEEP AND CLOTHING. 



(T< LEEP, as well as diet, ought to be duly regulated. Too little sleeg 
^ weakens the nerves, exhausts the spirits, and occasions diseases; 
and too much renders the mind dull, the body gross, aud disposes to 
apoplexies, lethargies, and other complaints of a similar nature. A 
medium ought therefore to be observed; but this is not easy to fix. 
Children require more sleep than grown persons, the laborious than the 
idle, and such as eat and drink freely, than those who live abstemious- 
ly. Besides the real quantity of sleep cannot be measured by time; 
as one person will be more refreshed by five or six hours sleep, thasi 
^pother by eight or ten. 



80 OF SLEEi* AND CtOTHISG. 

Children may always be allowed to take as much sleep as they please ; 
but for adults, six or seven hours is certainly sufficient, and no one 
ought to exceed eight. Those who lie a-bed more thao eight hours may 
slumber, but they can hardly be said to sleep ; such geuerally toss and 
dream away the fore-part ot the night, sink to rest towards morning, 
and dose till noon. The best' way to make sleep sound and refreshing 
is to rise betimes. The custom of laying a-bed for nine or ten hours, 
not only makes the sleep less refreshing, but relaxes the solids, and 
greatly weakens the constitution. 

Nature points out night as the proper season for sleep. Nothing 
more certainly destroys the constitution than night- watching. It is 
great pity that a practice so destructive to health should be so much 
in fashion. How quickly the want of rest in due-season will blast the 
most blooming complexion, or ruin the best constitution, is evident from 
the ghastly countenances of those who, as the phrase is, turn day int* 
uiglit, and night into day. 

To make sleep refreshing, the following things are requisite : First, 
to take sufficient exercise in the open air ; to avoid strong tea or coffee ; 
next, to eat a light supper; and lastly, to lie down with a mind as 
cheerful and serene as possible. 

It is certain that too much exercise will prevent sleep, as well as to* 
little. We seldom however hear the active and laborious complain of 
restless nights. It is the indolent and slothful who generally have these 
complaints. Is it any wonder that a bed of down should not be re- 
freshing to a person who sits all day in an easy chair ? A great part of 
the pleasure of life consists in alternate rest and motion ; but they who 
neglect the latter can never relish the former. The labourer enjoys 
more true luxury in plain food and sound sleep, than is to be found ia 
sumptuous tables and downy pillows, where exercise is wanting. 

That light suppers cause sound sleep, is true even to a proverb. 
Many persons, if they exceed the least at that meal, are sure to have 
uneasy nights ; and, if they fall asleep, the load and oppression oa 
their stomach and spirits occasion frightful dreams, brokeu and dis- 
turbed repose, the uight-mare, &c. Were the same persons to go to bed 
with a light supper, or sit up till that meal was pretty well digested, 
they would enjoy sound sleep, and rise refreshed and cheerful. There 
are indeed some people who cannot sleep, unless they have taken some 
solid food at night, but this does not imply the necessity of a heavy 
supper ; besides, these are generally persons who have accustomed 
themselves to this method, and who do not take a sufficient quantity of 
solid food and exercise. 

Nothing more certainly disturbs our repose than anxiety. Whea 
the mind is not at ease, one seldom enjoys sound sleep. This greatest 
of human blessings flies the wretched, and visits the happy, the cheer- 
ful and the gay. This is a sufficient reason why every man should 
endeavour to be as easy in mind as possible when he goes to rest. Ma- 



OF SLEEP AND CLOTHING. «1 

ny, by indulging grief and aaxious thought, have banished sound sleep 
,so long, that they could never afterwards enjoy it. 

Sleep, when taken in the fore-part of the night, is generally reckon- 
ed most refreshing. Whether this be the effect of habit or not, is hard 
to say ; but as most people are accustomed to go early to bed when 
young, it may be presumed that sleep, at this season, will prove most 
refreshing to them ever after. Whether the fore-part of the night be 
best for sleep or not, surely the fore-part of the day is (litest, both for 
business and amusement. I hardly ever knew an early riser, who did 
not enjoy a good state of health.* 

Of Clothing. 

The clothing ought to be suited to the climate. Custom has no doubt, 
a very great influence in this article ; but no custom can ever change 
the nature of things so far, as to render the same clothing fit for an in- 
habitant of Nova Zembla and the Island of Jamaica. It is not indeed 
necessary to observe an exact proportion between the quantity of clothes 
we wear, and the degree of latitude which we inhabit ; but, at the 
same time, proper attention ought to be paid to it, as well as to the 
openness of the country, the frequency and violence of storms, &c. 

In youth, while the blood is hot and the perspiration free, it is less 
necessary to cover the body with a great quantity of clothes; but in 
the decline of life, when the skin becomes rigid and the humours more 
cool, the clothing should be increased. Many diseases in the latter pe- 
riod of life proceed from a defect of perspiration : these may, iu some 
measure, be prevented by a suitable addition to the clothing, or by wea- 
ring such as are better calculated for promoting th» discharge from the 
skin, as clothes made of cotton, flannel, <frc. 

The clothing ought likewise to he suited to the season of the year. 
Clothing may be warm enough for summer, which is by no means suf- 
ficient for winter. The greatest caption, however, is necessary in ma- 
king these changes. We ought neither to put off our winter clothes 
too soon, nor to wear our summer ones too long. In this country, the 
winter often sets in very early Avith great rigour, and we have fre- 
quently cold weather even after the commencement of the summer 
tnonths. It would likewise be prudent not to make the change all at 
once, but do it gradually ,- and indeed' the changes of apparel in this 

* Men of every occupation, and every situation of life, have lived to 
a good old age; nay some have enjoyed this blessing whoso plan, of 
living was by ao means regular : but it consists with observation, that 
all very old men have been early riser?. This is the only circumstance 
attending longevity to which I never knew an exception. 
11 



92 OF SLEEP AND CL01 m\S. 

climate ought to he very inconsiderable, especially among those w&tr 
have passed the meridian of life * 

Clothes often become hurtful by their ben? made subservient to the 
purposes of pride or vanity. Mankind in all ages seem to have con- 
sidered clothes in this view ;. accordingly their lashion and figure have 
bees continually varying, with very little regard either to health, the 
climate, or cenveniency ; a farthingale, for example, may be very ne- 
cessary in hot southern climates, but surely nothing can be more ridic- 
ulous in the cold regions of the north. 

Even the human shape is often attempted to be mended by dress, and 
those who know no better believe that mankind would be monstrous 
■without its assistance. All attempts of this nature are highly perni- 
cious. The most destructive of thern in this country is that of squeez- 
ing the stomach and bowels into as narrow a compass as possible, to 
procure, what is falsely called a fine shape. + By this practice the 
action of the stomach and bowels, the motiou of the heart and lungs, 
and almost all the vital functions, are obstructed. Hence proceed in- 
digestions, syncopes or fainting fits, coughs, consumpiious of the lungs, 
and other complaints so common among females. 

The feet likewise often suffer by pressure. How a small foot came 
to be reckoned genteel, I will not pretend to 6ay ; but certain it is, that 
this notion has made many persons lame. Almost nine-tenths of man- 
kind are troubled with corns: a disease that is seldom or never occa- 
sioned but by straight shoes. Corns are not only very troublesome, 
but by rendeiing people unable to walk, they may likewise be consid- 
ered as the remote cause of other diseases | 

The size and figure of the shoe ought certainly to be adapted to the 
foot. In children the feet are as well shaped as the hands, and the mo- 
non of the toes as free and easy as that of the fingers; yet few persona 



* That colds kill moke t^as plaguks, Is an old observation: 
:w(\. with regard to this country, it holds strictly true. Every person 
of discernment, however, will perceive, that most of the colds tUiich 
prove so destructive to the inhabitants of Britain, are owing to their 
imprudence in changing clothes. A few warm days in March or April, 
induce- them to- throw off their winter garments, without considering 
that our most penetrating colds generally happen in the spring. 

i Tin? madness &eems to have pervaded the. minds of mothers in ev- 
ery age and country. Terence, in W- comedy of the Eunuch, ridi- 
cules the Human matrons for attempting to meud the shape of their 
daughters. 

| We often see persons, who are rendered quite lame by the nails of 
their toes having grown into the flesh, and frequently hear of mortifi- 
cations proceeding from tins cause. All these, and many other incon- 
leniences attending the feet, must be imputed solely to the use of short 
ai'.d^traight shoes. 



OF 91MEP AND CLOTHING. 83 

la the advaaccd period of life are able to make any use of their toes. 
They are generally by narrow shoes, squeezed all of a heap, and often 
laid over on* another in such a manner as to be rendered altogether in- 
capable of motion. Nor is the high heel less hurtful than the narrow- 
toe. A lady may seem taller for walking on her tiptoes, but she will 
oever walk well in tins manner. It strains her joints, distorts her limbs, 
makes her stoop, and utterly destroys all her ease and gracefulness of 
motion : it is entirely owing to shoes with high heels and narrow toes, 
that not one female in ten can be said to walk well. 

In fixing on the clothes, due care should be taken to avoid all tight 
bandages. Garters, buckles, &c. when drawn too tight, not only pre- 
veut the free morion and we of the parts about which they are bound, 
but likewise obstruct the circulation of the blood, which prevents the 
equal nourishment and growth of these parts, and occasions various 
diseases. Tight bandages about the neck, as stocks, cravats, neckla- 
ces, &c. are extremely dangerous. They obstruct the blood in its 
course from the brain, by which means head-aches, vertigoes, apoplex- 
ies, and other fatal diseases are often occasioned. 

The perfection of dress is to be easy and clean. Nothing can be 
more ridiculous, than for any one to make himself a slave to fine 
clothes. Such a one, and many such there are, would rather remain, 
as fixt as a statue from morning till night, than discompose a single hair 
ot alter the position of a pin. Were we to recommend any particu- 
lar pattern for dress, it would be that which is worn by the people call- 
ed Quakers. They are always neat, clean, and often elegant,.. with- 
out any thing superfluous. What others lay out upon tawdry laces, 
ruffles, and ribbands, they bestow upon superior cleanliness. Finery 
is only the affectation of dress, and very often covers a great deal of 
dirt. 

We shall only add, with regard to clothing, that it ought not only t@ 
be suited to the climate, the season of the year, and the period of 
life ; but likewise to the temperature and constitution. Robust per- 
sons are able to endure either cold or heat better than the delicate ; 
consequently may be less attentive to their clothing. But the precise 
quantity of clothes necessary for any person cannot be determined by 
reasoning. It is entirely a matter of experience, and every man is 
the best judge for himself what quantity of clothes is necessary to keep 
him warm.* 

* The celebrated Boqrhaave used to say, that nobody suffered by 
cold save fools and beggars ; the latter not being able to procure 
clothes, suid the former not having sense to wear them. Be this as it 
«m;*.i 2 can with the strictest truth declare, that in many cases where 



OF INTEMPERANCE. 



CHAPTER VII. 



OF INTEMPERANCE. 

A MODERN tfutborf observes, that temperauce and exercise are 
J_\_ the two best physicians iu the world. He might have added s 
that if these were dulv rega? led, there would be little occasion for any 
other. Temperance may justly be called the parent of health ; yet 
numbers of mankind act as if they tnought diseases and death too 
slow in their progress, and by intemperance and debauch seem as it 
were tu soiai choir approach. 

The danger of intemperance appears from the very construction 
of the human bo: :}. Health depends on that state of the solids and 
fluids which fits tnem for the due performance of the vital functions; 
and while these go regularly en, we are sound and well ; but whatev- 
er disturbs tnem n< cessa; ily impairs health. Imiemperance never fails 
to disorder the whole animal economy ; it hurts the digestion, tclaxes 
the nerves, renders the different secretions h regular, vitiates the 
humors, and occasions numberless diseases. 

The analogy between the nourishment of plants and animals affords 
a striking proof of the danger of intemperence. Moisture and ma- 
nure greatly promote vegetation ; yet an over-quantity of either will 
entirely destroy it The best things become hurtful, nay destructive, 
when carried to excess. Hence we learn, that the highest degree of 
human wisdom consists in regulating our appetites and passions so as 
to avoid all extremes. It is that chiefly which entitles us to the char- 
acter of rational beings. The slave of appetite will ever be the dis- 
grace of human nature. 

The Author of Nature hath endued us with various passions, for 
the propagation of the species, the preservation of the individual, &c. 
Jntemperance is the abuse of these passions ; and moderation consists 
in the proper regulation of them. Men, not contented with satisfying 
the simple calls of Nature, create artificial wan(6, and are perpetually 
in search after something that may gratify them ; but imaginary wants 
never cau be gratified. Nature is coutentwith little ; but luxury knows* 
no bounds. Hence the epicure, the drunkard, and the debauchee sel- 

the powers of medicine have been tried in vain, I have cured the pa- 
tient by recommending thick shoes, a flannel waistcoat, and drawers, 
a pair of under stockings, or a flannel petticoat, to be worn during tht 
cold season at least. Where warmer clothing is wanted, I wc-'uld re- 
commend the fleecy hosiery to be worn next the tkin, 
f Rousseau. 



OF INTEMPERANCE. 6$ 

dom stop in their career till their money or their constitution fails: then 
indeed they generally see their error when too late. 

It is impossible to hy down fixed rules with regard to diet, on ac- 
count of the different constitutions of mankind. The most ignorant per- 
son, however, certainly knows what is meant by excess ; and it is in 
the power of every men, if he chooses, to avoid it. 

The great rule of diet is to study simplicity. Nature delights in the 
jaiost plain and simple food, and every animal, except man, follows her 
dictates. Man alone riots at large, and ransacks the whole creation ia 
quest of luxuries, to his own destruction. An ek^ant writer* of the 
last age, speaks thus of intemperance in diet : " For my part, when I 
behold a fashionable table set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I 
see gouts and dropsies, fevers and lethargies, with other innumerable 
distempers, lying in ambuscade among the dishes." 

Nor is intemperance in other things less destructive than in diet. 
How quickly does the immoderate pursuit of carnal pleasures, or the 
abuse of intoxicating liquors, ruin the best constitution ! Indeed these 
vices generally go hand in hand. Hence it is that we so often behold 
the votaiies of Bacchus and Venu9, even before they have arrived at the 
prime of life, worn out with diseases, and hastening with swift pace to 
an untimely grave. Did men reflect on the painful diseases and pre- 
mature deaths, which are daily occasioned by intemperance, it would 
be sufficient to make them shrink back with horror from the indulgence 
even of their darling pleasures. 

Intemperance does not hurt its votaries alone ; the innocent too often 
feel the direful effects of it. How many wretched orphans are to be 
seen embracing dung-hills, whose parents regardless of the future, spent 
in riot and debauch what mi^ht have served to bring up their off- 
spring in a decent manner ! How often do we behold the miserable 
mother, ivith her helpless infants, pining in want, while the cruel father 
is indulging his insatiate appetites- 
Families are not only reduced to misery, but even extirpated by in- 
temperance. Nothing tends so much to prevent propagation, and short- 
en the lives of children as the intemperance of parents. The poor 
man who labors all day, and at night lies down contented with his hum- 
ble fare, can boast a numerous offspring, while his pampered lord, 
sunk iu ease and luxury, often languishes without an heir to his ample 
fortunes. Even states and empires feel the influence of intemperance, 
and rise or fall as it prevails. 

Instead of mentioning the different kinds of intemperance, and point- 
ing out their influence upon health, we shall only, by way of exampte, 
make a few observations on one particular species of that vice, vis. the 
abuse of intoxicating liquors. 

* Add-on. 



80 OF INTEMPERANCE. 

Every act of intoxication pats nature to tht expense of a fever in 
order to discharge the poisonous draught. "When this is repeated al- 
most eveiy day, it is easy to foresee the consequences. That constitu- 
tion must be strong, indeed, which is able long to hold out under a daily 
fever ! but level's occasioned by drinking do not always go off in a 
day ; they frequently end iD an inflammation of the breast, liver, or 
brain, and produce fatal effects. 

Though the druukard should not fall by an acute disease, he seldom 
escapes those of a chronic kiud. Intoxicating liquors, when used to 
as excess, weaken the bowels and spoil the digestion ; they destroy the 
power of the nerve?, and occasion paralytic r.nd convulsive disorders; 
they likewise heat and inflame the blood, destroy its balsamic quality, 
render it unfit for circulation, and the nourishment of the body. Hence 
obstructions, atrophies, dropsies, and consumptions of the lungs. These 
are the common ways in '.-'rich drunJtaids make their exit. Diseases 
of this kind, when brought on by hard drinking, seldom admit of a 
care. 

Many people injure their health by drinking, who seldom get drunk. 
The continual habit of soaking, as it is called, though its effects be not 
so violent, is not less pernicious. When the vessels are kept constant - 
, ly full and upon the stretch, the different digestions can neither be duly 
performed, nor the humours properly prepared Hence most people 
of this character are afflicted with the gout, the gravel, ulcerous sores 
in the legs, &c. If these disorders do not appear, they are seized with 
low spirits, hypochondriacal affections, aud other symptoms of indi- 
gestion. 

Consumptions are now so common, that it is thought one-tenth of the 
inhabitants of great towns die of that disease. Hard drinking is no 
doubt one of the causes to which we must impute the increase of con- 
sumptions. The great quantities of viscid malt liquor drank by the 
common people of England, cannot fail to render the blood sizy and 
unfit for circulation; from whence proceed obstructions, and inflamma- 
tions of the lungs. There are few great ale drinkers who are not 
phthiscal ; nor is that to be wondered at, considering the glutinous and 
almost indigestible nature of strong ale. 

Those who drink ardent spirits or strong wines, run still greater 
hazard ; these liquors heat and inflame U>e blood, and tear the tender 
vessels of the hiBgs to pieces ; yet so great is the consumption of them 
in this country, that one would almost be induced to think Uiat the in- 
habitants lived upon them.* 



* We may form some notion of the immense quantity of ardent spr- 
vits consumed in Great Britain from this circumstance, that iu the city 
of Edinburgh aud its environs, besides the great quantity of foreign spi- 
rits duly cnteied, and the still greater quantity which is supposed to 
bn s^usgled, it is computed that above tiro thousand private stills tir^ 



OF INTEMPERANCE. 87 

The habit o>f drinking proceeds frequently from misfortunes in life^ 
The miserable fly to it for relief. It affords them indeed a temporary 
ease. But, alas ! this solace is short-lived ; and when it is over, the 
spirits sink as much below their usual tone as they had before beeu 
raised above it. Hence a repetition of the dose becqmes necessary, 
and every fresh dose makes way for another, till the unfiappy wretch 
becomes a slave to the bottle, and at length falls a sacrifice to what at 
first perhaps was taken only as a medicine. No man is so dejected as 
the drunkard when his debauch is gone off. IJence it is that those 
who have the greatest flow of spirits while the glass circulates freely, 
are of all others the most melancholy when sober^nd often pat an end 
to their own miserable existence in a fit of spleen or ill humour. 

Drunkenness not only proves destructive to health, but likewise to 
the faculties of the mind. It is strange that creatures who value them- 
selves on account of a superior degree of reason to Uiat of brutes, should 
take pleasure in sinking so far below them. Were such as voluntarily 
deprive themselves of the use of reason, to continue ever after in that 
condition, it would seem but a just punishment. Though this be not 
the consequence of one act of intoxication, it seldom fails to succeed a 
course of it. By a habit of drinking, the greatest genius is often re- 
duced to a mere idiot.f 

Intoxication is peculiarly hurtful to young persons. It heats their 
blood, impairs their strength, and obstructs their growth ; besides the 
frequent use of strong liquors in the early part of life destroys any be- 
nefit that might arise from them afterwards. Those who make a prac- 
tice of drinking generous liquors when young, cannot expect to reap 
any benefit from them as a cordial in the decline of life. 

constantly employed in preparing a poisonous liquor called Molasses. 
The common people have got so universally into the habit of drinking 
this base spirit, that when a porter or labourer is seen reeling along the 
streets, they say, he has got mqlassed. 

f It is amazing that our improvements in arts, learning and politeness 
have not put the barbarous custom of drinking to excess out Of fashiorr. 
It is indeed less common in South Britain than it was formerly; but 
it still prevails very much in the North, where this relic of Barbarity 
fs mistaken for hospitality. There no man is supposed to entertain his 
guests well, who does not make them drunk. Forcing people to drink 
is certaiidy the greatest piece of rudeness that any man can be guilty 
of. Manliness, complaisance; or mere good-nature, may induce amaa 
to take his glass, if urged to it, at a time when he might as well take 
poison. The custom of drinking to excess has long been out of fashion 
in France; and, as it begins to lose ground among the politer part of 
liie English, we hope k wiil soon be banished from every part of *1% 
.island. 



35 OF CLEANLINESS. 

Drunkenness is not only iu itself a roost abominable vice, bnt is an 
inducement to many others. There is hardly aDy crime so horrid that 
the drunkard will not perpetrate for the love of liquor. We have 
known mothers sell their children's clothes, the food that they should 
have eat, and afterwards even the infants themselves, in order tp pur- 
chase the accursed draught. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



OF CLEANLINESS. 

THE want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excttse. 
Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power 
of every person to be clean. The continual discharge from our bo- 
dies by perspiration, renders frequent change of apparel necessary. 
Changing apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so ne- 
cessary for health. When that matter which ought to be carried off by 
perspiration, is either retained in the body, of reabsorbed from dirty 
clothes, it must occasion diseases. 

Diseases of the skin are chiefly owning to want of cleanliness.* They 
may indeed be caught by infection, or brought on by poor living, un- 
wholesome food, &c. but they will seldom continue long where cleanli- 
ness prevails. To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of 
vermin which infest the human body, houses, &c. These may always 
be banished by cleanliness alone, and wherever they abound, we have 
reason to believe it is neglected. 

One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of 
cleanliness. These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of 
close, dirty houses, who breathe unwholesome air, take little exercise, 
and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, 
which often spreads far and wide, to the destruction of many. Hence 
cleanliness may be considered as an object of public attention. It is 

* Mr. Pot, in his surgical observations, mentions a disease which he 
♦ alls the chimney sweeper's cancer, as it is almost peculiar to that un- 
happy set of people. This he attributes to neglect of cleanliness, and 
with great justness. I am convinced, that if that part of the body which 
is the 6eat of this cruel disease was kept clean by frequent washing, it 
would never happen. The climbing boys as thry are called, are cer- 
tainly the most miserable wretches on the face of the earth ; yet, for 
cleaning chimneys, no such persons are necessary. 



OF CLEANLINESS, 29 

Hot sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neigh-* 
bour affects my health as well as his. If dirty people cannot be re- 
moved as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infec- 
tious. All who regard their health should keep at a distance even from 
their habitations. 

In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness 
becomes of the utmost importance. It is well known that infectious 
diseases are communicated by tainted air. Every thing therefore 
which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the 
utmost care to be guarded against. For this reason, in great tow^s, no 
filth, of any kind, should be permitted to lie upon the streets. Noihiug 
is more apt to convey infection than the excrements of the diseased. 

In many great towns the streets are little* better than dunghills, be- 
ing frequently covered with ashes, dung, and nastiness of every kind. 
Eveii slaughter-houses, or killing shambles, are often to be seen in the 
very centre of great towns. The putrid blood, excrements* &c. with 
Which these places are generally covered, cannot fail to taint the air, 
and render it unwholesome. How easily mi^ht tfris be prevented by 
active magistrates who have it always in their power to make proper 
laws relative to things of this nature, and to enforce the observance of 
them. 

We are sorry to say, that the importance of general cleanliness dees 
not seem to be sufficiently understood by the magistrates of most grtat 
towns in Britain; though health, pleasure, and delicacy, all couspire to 
recommend an attention to it. Nothing can be more agreeable to the 
Sedses, more to the honour of the inhabitants, or more conducive to their 
health, than a clean town; nor can any thing impress a stranger with a- 
inOre disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite. Whatever 
pretensions people may make to learning, politeness, ot civilization, we 
will venture to affirm, that while they neglect cleanliness, they are in a 
state of barbarity.* 

The peasants in most countries seem to hold cleanliness in a sort of 
contempt. Were it not for the open situation of their houses, they 
would often feel the bad effects of this disposition. One seldom sees a 
farm-house without a dunghiil before the door, and frequently the cat- 
tle and their masters lodge under the same roof. Peasants are likewise 

* In ancient Rome the greatest men did not think cleanliness an ol> 
j«ct unworthy of their attention. Pliny says, the Cloacai, or com- 
mon sewers for the conveyance of filth and nastiness from the city, 
■were the greatest of all the public works ; and bestows higher encomi- 
ums upon Tarquinius, Agrippa, and others who made and improved 
them, than on those who achieved the greatest conquests. 
. How truly great does the emperor Trajan appear, when giving di- 
rections to Fliny his proconsul, concerning the making of a common 
aewer for the health and convenience ef a conquered city J 
12 



?<J OF CLEANLINESS. 

extremely careless with respect to change of apparel, keeping theis' 
houses, &c. clean. This h merely the effect of indolence and a dirty 
disposition. Habit may indeed render it less disagreeable to them, but 

no habit can ever make it salutary to wear diriy clothes or breathe uu- 
wholesome air. 

As many articles of diet come through the hand? of peasan's, every 
method should be taken to encourage and promote habits of cleanliness 
among them. This, for exahiple, might be done by ^ivitifr a small pre- 
mium to the person v. ho brings the cleanest and beet article of any kind 
to market, as butter, cheese, <fee. and by punishing severely those who 
bring it dirty. The fame method should be taken with butchers, ba- 
kers, brewers, and all who are employed in preparing the necessaries 
of hie-. 

In camps the strictest regard should be paid to cleanliness. By neg- 
ligence in this matter, infectious diseases are often spread amongst a 
whole army ; and frequently more die of those than by the sword. The 
Jews, during their encampments in the wilderness, received particular 
instructions with respect to cleanliness. * The rules enjoined them ought 
to be observed b) T all in the like situation. Indeed the whole system 
•of laws delivered to that people has a manifest tendency u promote 
cleanliness. Whoever considers the nature of their climate," the dis- 
eases to which they were liable, and their dirty disposition, will see the 
propriety of such laws. 

It is remarkable that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a 
great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish 
xeligiou enjoins various bathings, washings, arid purifications — No doubt 
these might be designed to represent inward purity; but they were at 
the same time calculated for the preservation of health. However 
whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would tend 
more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them. 
Were every peison, for example, after visiting the sick, handling a 
dead body, or touching any thing that might convey infection, to wash 
before be went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less 
ii, zard either ©f iatching the infectiop himself, or of communicating it 
to others. 

Frequent washing not only removes the filth and sores which adhere 
to the skin but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body ami 
enlivens the spirits. How refreshed, how cheerful, and agreeable does 
one fool on being shaved, washed, and shifted ; especially when these of- 
fices have been neglected longer than usual ! 



* Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt 
go forth abroad; and thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon: and 
it shall be when thou shalt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith 
and shall turn back, and cover that which Cometh fiom thee, &c Dtflfa 
ieroaoiny, chap >:xii. V cr. 12, !o. 



OF CLEANLINESS. -il 

The eastern custom of washing tlie f«et, though less necessary in this 
country, is nevertheless a very agreeable piece of cleanliness, and con- 
tributes greatly to the preservation of health. The sweat and dirt with 
whieh these parte are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct the 
perspiration. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and 
fevers. Were people careful to bathe their feet and legs in hike warm 
water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, 
they would seldom experience the ill effects which ofteu proceed from 
these causes. 

A proper attention to cleanliness is no where more necessary* than on 
ship board. If epidemical distempers breakout there, no one can be 
safe. The best way to prevent them, is to take care that the whole 
company be cleanly in their clothes, bedding &c. When infectious dis- 
eases do break out, cleanliness is the most likely means to prevent their 
spreading : it is likewise necessary to prevent their returning afterwards, 
or being conveyed toother places. For this purpose the clothes, bed- 
ding, &c. of the sick ought to be carefully washed, aud fumigated with 
brimstone. Infection will lodge a long time in dirty, clothes, and after- 
wards break out in the most terrible manner. 

In places where great numbers of sick people are collected together, 
cleanlieess ought to be most religiously observed. The very smell in 
such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine 
what effect that is likely to have upon the diseased. In ao hospital or 
infirmary, where cleanliness is neglected, a person in perfect health has 
a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well. 

Few things are more unaccountable than that neglect, or rather dread 
of cleanliness, which appears among those who have the: care ofHbe 
sick; they think it almost criminal to suffer any thing that is clean to 
come near a person in a fever; for example they would rather allow 
him to wallow io all manner of filth, than change the least bit of his 
linen. If cleanliness be necessary for persons in health, it is certainly 
more so for the sick. Many diseases may be cured by cleanliness 
alone; most of them might be mitigated by it; and, where it is neg- 
lected, the slightest disorders are often changed into the most malignant. 
The same mistaken care which prompted people to prevent the least 
admission of fresh air to the sick, seems to have induced them to keep 
them dirty. Both these destructive prejudices will, we hope be soon 
eradicated. 

Cleanliness is certainly agreeable to our nature. We cannot help 
approving it in others, even though we should not practice it ourselves. 
It sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains 
esteem where that fails. It is an ornament to the highest as well as to 
the lowest station, and cannot be dispensed with in either. Few virtue* 
are of more importance to society than general clanlinees. It oflrght to 



Q2 OF INFECTION. 

be carefully cultivated every where; but id populous cities it should 
be almost revered.* 



CHAPTER IX, 



OF INFECTION. 

MANY diseases are infectious. Every person ought there fore, m 
far as he can, to avoid all communication with the diseased. 
The common practice ofvisitiugthe sick, though often well meant; has 
many ill consequences. Far be it from me to discourage any act of 
charity or benevolence, especially towards those in distress ; but I cannot 
help blaming such as endanger their own or their neighbours' lives by 
a mistaken friendship, or an impertinent curiosity. 

The houses of the sick, especially in the country, are generally 
crowded from mornisg till night with idle visitors. It is customary in 
such places, for servants and young people to wait upon the sick by 
tur.j? and even to sit up with them all night. It would be a miracle 
in. it- i should such always escape. Experience teaches us the danger 
of this conduct. People often catch fevers ju this way, and communi* 
cate them to others, till at length they become epidemic. 

It would be thought highly improper for one who had not had the 
smill-pox, to wait upon a patient in.that disease; yet manj other fevers 
ore almost as infectious as the small- pox, and not less fatal. Some im- 
agine that fevers prove more fata! in villages than in great towns for 
want of proper medical assistance. This may sometimes be the case; 
but I am inclined to think it oftener proceeds from the cause above 
mentioned. 

Were a plan to be laid down for communicating infection, it could 
not be doue more effectually than by the common method of visiting the 



* As it is impossible to be thoroughly clean without a sufficient quan- 
tity of water, we would earnestly recommend it to the magistrates of 
great towns to be particularly attentive to this article. Most great towns 
in Britain are so situated as to be easily supplied with water ; and those 
persons who will not make a proper use of it, after it is brought to their 
hand, certainly deserve to be severely punished. The streets of great 
towns, where water can be had, ought to be washed every day. This 
is the only effectual method for keeping them thoroughly clean; and, 
upon Uial, we are persuaded it will be found the cheapest. 

Some of the most dreadful diseases incident to human nature, migh*. 
(n my opinio-' j be entirely eradicated by cleanliness. 



OF INFECTION. 6? 

i^ck. Such visitors not only endanger themselves and their connections, 
but likewise hurt the sick. By crowding the house they render the air 
■unwholesome, and by their private^ whispers and dismal countenances 
disturb the imagination of the patient, and depress his spirits. Per- 
sons who are ill, especially in fevers, ought to be kept as quiet as possi- 
ble. The sight of strauge faces, and every thing that disturbs the mind 
hurts them. 

The common practice in country places of inviting great numbers of 
people to funerals, and crowding them into the same apartment where 
the corpse lies, is another way of spreading infection. The infection 
does not always die with the patient. Every thing that comes into 
contact witk his body while alive, receives the contagion, and some of 
them, as clothes, blankets, &c. will retain it for a long time. Persons 
who die of infectious disorders ought not to lie long unburied; and peo- 
ple should keep as much as possible at a distance from them. 

It would tend greatly to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases, 
if tnose in health were kept at a proper distance from the sick. The 
Jewish Legislator, among many other wise institutions for preserving 
health, has been peculiarly attentive to the means of preventing infec- 
tion, or defilement as it is called, either from a diseased person or a 
dead body. In many cases the diseased were to be separated from 
those in health ; aid it was deemed a crime even to approach their 
habitations. If a person only touched a diseased or dead body, he 
was appointed to wash himself in water, and to keep for some time at a 
distance from society. 

Infectious diseases are often communicated by clothes. It is ex- 
tremely dangerous to wear apparel which has been worn by the disea- 
sed, unless it has been well washed and fumigated, as infection may 
lodge a long time in it, and afterwards produce very tragical effects. 
This shews the danger of buying at random the clothes which have 
been worn by other people. 

Infectious disorders are frequently imported. Commerce, together 
with the riches of foreign climes, bring us also their diseases. These 
do often more than counterbalance all the advantages of that trade by 
means of which they are introduced. It is to be regretted, that so lit- 
tle care is commonly bestowed, either to prevent the introduction or 
spreading of infectious maladies. Some attention indeed is generally 
paid to the plague ; but other diseases pass unregarded.* 

* Were the tenth part of the care taken to prevent the importation 
©f diseases, that there is to prevent smuggling, it would be attended 
with many happy consequences. This might easily be done by appoint- 
ing a physician at every considerable sea-port, to inspect the ship's 
company, passengers, &c. before they came ashore, and, if any fe- 
ver or other infectious disorders prevailed, to order the ship to per- 
form a shoj-t quarantine, and to send the sick to some hospital or prop- 



54 OF INFECTION. 

Infection is off en spread through cities, by jails, hospitals, &C 
These arc frequently situated iu the very middle of populous towns ; 
■and when infectious diseases break out in them, it is impossible for the 
inhabitants to escape. Did magistrates pay any regard to the health 
of the people, this evil misfit be easily remedied. 

Many are the causes which tend to diffuse infection, through popu- 
lar cities. The whole atmosphere of a large town is one contaminated 
piass, abounding with various kinds of infection, and must be pernicious 
?o health. The best adv ice that we can ^ive to such as are obliged t© 
live iu large cities, is to chuae an open situation; to avoid narrow, dir- 
ty, ?;rects ; to keep their cwn houses and offices cleaa ; and to be as 
?nuch abroad in the open air as their time will permit. 

It would tend greatly to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases, 
were proper nurses every where employed to take care of the sick. 
This might often save a family, or even a whole town, from being i«- 
fected by one person. We do not mean that people should abandon 
their friends or relations in distress, but only to put them on their guard 
against being too much in company with "those who are afflicted with 
diseases of an infectious nature. 

Such as wait upon the sick in infectious diseases run very great ha- 
zard. They should stuff their noses with tobacco, or some other strong 
smelling herb, as rue, tansy, or the like. They ought likewise to keep 
the patient very clean, to sprinkle the room where he lies with vinegar, 
or other strong acids, frequently to admit a stream of fresh air into it, 
and to avoid the smell of his breath as much as they can. They ought 
never to' go into compauy without having changed their clothes and 
washed their hands ; otherwise, if the disease be infectious, they will 
in all probability carry the contagion along with them.* 

er place to be cured. He might likewise order all the clothes, bedding, 
<mc. which had been used by the sick during the voyage, to be either 
destroyed, or thoroughly cleansed by fumigation, &c. before any of it 
was sent ashore. A scheme of this kind, if properly conducted, would 
prevent many fevers, and other infectious diseases, from being brought by 
sailors into sea-port towns, and by this means diffused all over the country. 
* There is reason to believe that infection is often conveyed from 
one place to another by the carelessness of the faculty themselves. Many 
physicians affect a familiar way of sitting upon the patient's bed side, 
niui 'Holding bis arm for a considerable time. If the patient has the 
small-pox, or any other infectious disease, diere is no doubt but the 
doctor's hands, clothes, &c. will carry away rome of the infection ; and, 
if he goes directly to visit another patient without washing his bands, 
changing his clothes, or bein;; exposed to the open air, which is not sel- 
dom the case, is it any wonder that he should carry the disease along 
with him ? Physicians not only endanger others, but also themselves by 
I vict. And indeed they sometimes suffer for tfceir want of sore 



OF INJECTION. m 

However trifling it may appear to inconsiderate persons, we will ven- 
ture to affirm, that a due attentiou to those tilings which tend to diffuse 
Median would be of great importance in preventing diseases. As most 
diseases are in some degree infectious, no one should continue long with 
the sick, except the necessary attendance. I mean not, however, by 
this caution, to deter those whose duty or office leads them to wait upon 
the Bick, from such a laudable and necessary employment. 

Many things are in the power of the magistrate which would tend to 
prevent the spreading of infection ; as the promoting of public cleanli- 
ness ; removing jails, hospitals, burying grounds, and other places where 
infection may be generated at a proper distance from great towns;* 
widening the streets ; pulling doAvn useless walk, and taking all meth- 
ods to promote a free circulation of air through every part of the town, 
&c. Public hospitals, or proper place* of reception for the sick, pro- 
vided they were kept clean, well ventilated, aud placed in an open sit- 
uation, would likewise tend to prevent the spreading of infection. Such 
places of reception would prevent the poor, when sick, from being vis- 
ited by their idle or officious neighbours. They would likewise ren- 
der it unnecessary for sick servants to be kept in their master's houses. 
Masters had better pay for having their servants taken care of in an 
hospital, than run the hazard of having an infectious disease diffused 
among a numerous family. Sick servants and poor people, when pla- 
ced in hospitals, are not only less apt to diffuse infection among their 
neighbours, but have likewise the advantage of being well attended. 

We are not, however, to learn that hospitals, instead of prevent- 
ing infection, may become the means of diffusing it. When they are 
placed in the middle of great towus ; when numbers of patients are 
crowded together in small apartments ; when there is a constant com- 
munication kept up between the citizens and the patients; aud when 
cleanliness and ventilation are neglected, they become nests for hatch- 
ing diseases, and every one who goes into them not only runs a risk of 
r-eceiviug infection himself, but likewise of communicating it to others. 
This however is not the fault of the hospitals, but of those who have 
the management of them. It were to be wished, that they were both 
more numerous, and upon a more respectable footing, as that would 
induce people to go into them with less reluctance. This is the more 
to be desired, because most of the putrid fevers and other infectious 
disorders break oat among the poor, and are by them communicated to 
the more cleanly, and the wealthy. Were proper attention paid to the 
first appearances of. such disorders, and the patients early conveyance 
to an hospital, we should seldom see a putrid fever, which is almost as 
infectious as the plague, become epidemic. 



# The ancients would not suffer even the temples of their gods, whet! 
iltsick resorted, to be built within the walls of a city. 



96 OF THE PASSIONS* 



CHAPTER X. 



OF THE PASSIONS. 

FinilE passions have great influence both in the cause and cure 
X of diseases. How the mind affects the body, v ill it: all probability 
ever remain a secret. It is sufficient for us to know that there is es- 
tablished a reciprocal influence between the mental acd corporeal 
parts, and that whatever injures the one disorders the other. 

Of Anger. 

The passion of anger ruffles the mind, distorts the countenance, hur^ 
lies on the circulation of the blood, and disoiders the whole vital and 
animal functions. It often occasions fevers, and other acute diseases; 
and sometimes even sudden death. This passion is peculiarly hurtful 
to Use delicate, aud those of weak nerves. I have known such persons 
frequently, lose their lives by a violent fit of anger, and would advise 
them to guard against the excess of this passion with the utmost care* 

It is not indeed always in our power to prevent being angry ; but we 
may surely avoid harbouring resentment in our breast. Resentment 
preys upon the mind, and occasions the most obstinate chronical disor- 
ders, which gradually waste the constitution. Nothing shewg true 
greatness of mind more than to forgive injuries ; it promotes the peace 
of society, and greatly conduces to our own ease, health, and felicity. 

Such as value health should avoid violent gusts of anger, as they 
would the most deadly poison. Neither ought they to indulge resent- 
ment, but to endeavour at all times to keep their minds calm and se- 
rene. Nothing tends so much to the health of the body as a constant 
tranquility of mind. 

Of Fear. 

The influence of fear, both in occasioning and aggravating disease*, 
is very great. No man ought to be blamed for a decent concern about 
life; but too great a desire to preserve it is often the cause of losing 
it. Fear and anxiety, by depressing the spirits, not only disposes us 
to diseases, but often rentier those diseases fatal which an undaunted 
mind would overcome. 

Sudden fear has generally violent effects. Epileptic fits, and other 
convulsive disorders, are often occasioned by it. Hence the danger 
of that practice, so common amoug young people of frightening one an- 
other. Many have lost their lives', and others have been rendered 



OF THE PASSIONS. 97 

miserable, by frolics of this kind. It is dangerous to tamper with the 
human passions. The mind may easily be thrown into such disorder 
as never again to act with regularity. 

But the gfadual effects of fear prove most hurtful. The constant 
dread of some future evil, by dwelling upon the mind, often occasions 
the very evil itself. Hence it comes to pass that so many die of those 
very diseases of wliich they long had a dread, or which had been im- 
pressed on their minds by some accident, or foolish prediction. This, 
for example, is often the case with women in child bed. Many of those 
who die in that situation are impressed with a notion of their death a 
long time before it happens ; and there is reason to believe that this im- 
pression is often the cause of it« 

The methods taken to impress the minds of women with the appre- 
hension of the great pain and peril of chill birth, are very hurtful. 
Few women die in labour, though many lose their lives after it ; which 
may be thus accounted for : A woman after delivery, finding herself 
weak and exhausted, immediately apprehends she is- in danger ; but this 
fear seldom fails to obstruct the necessary evacuations, upon which her 
recovery depends. Thus the sex often fall a sacrifice to their own im- 
aginations, when there would be no danger, did they apprehend none- 

It seldom happens that two or three women in a great town die in 
child-bed, but their death is followed by ujauy others* Every womatx 
of their acquaintance who is with child dreads the same fate, and the 
disease becomes epidemical by the mere force of imagination. This 
should induce pregnaut women to despise fear, and by all means to avoid 
those tattling gossips who are continually buzzing in their ears the mis- 
fortunes of others. Every thing that may in the least alarm a pregnant 
or child bed woman, ought with the greatest care to be guarded against. 

Many women have lost their lives in child bed by the old supersti- 
tious custom, still kept up in most parts of Britain of tolling the parish 
bell for every person who dies. People who think themselves in dan- 
ger are very inquisitive; and if they come to know that the bell tolls 
for one who died in the same situation with themselves, what must be 
the consequence ? At any rate they are apt to suppose that this is the 
case, and it will often be found a very difficult matter to persuade them 
of the contrary. 

But this custom is not pernicious to child-bed women only. It is 
hurtful to many other cases. When low fevers in which it is difficult 
to support the patient's spirits, prevail, what must be the effect of a fu- 
neral peal sounding five or six times a-day in his ears: No doubt his 
imagination will suggest that others died of the same disease under which 
he labours. This apprehension will have a greater tendency to depress 
his spirits, than all the cordials of which medicine can boast, will have 
to raise them. 

' If this useless piece of ceremony cannot be abolished, we oUght to 

keep the sick as much from hearing it as possible, and from every other 

13 



** OF THE PASSIONS. 

thing that may tend to alarm them. So far however is this from befog: 
generally attended to. that many make k their business to visit the sick* 
on purpose to whisper dismal stories in their ear*. Such may pass for 
sympathizing friends, but they ought rather to be considered as ene- 
mies. AH who wish well to the sick ought to keep such persons at the 
greatest distance from them. 

A custom has long prevailed among physicians of prognosticating, as 
they call it, the patient's fate, or foretelling the fesue of the disease. 
Vanity no doubt introduced this practice, aud still supports it, in spite 
of common sense and the safety of mankind, I have known a physi- 
cian barbarous enough to boast, that he proaouuced more sentences than 
all his majesty's judges. Would to God that such sentences were not 
often equally fatal ! it may indeed be alledgeo, that the doctor does not 
declare his opinion before the patient* So much the worse. A sensi- 
ble pa'ient had better hear what the doetor says, than learn it from the 
disconsolate looks, the watery eyes, and the broken whispers of those 
about him. It seldom happens, when the doctor gyves an unfavourable 
opinion, that it can be concealed from the patient. The very embark 
rassment which the friends and attendants shew in disguising what he 
has said, is generally sufficient to discover the truth. 

Kind heaven has, for the wisest ends, concealed from mortals their 
fate ; and we do not see what right any mafi has to announce the death 
of another, especially if such a declaration lias a chance to kill him. 
Mankind are indeed very fond of prying into future events, and sel- 
dom fail to solicit the physician for hia opinion. A doubtful answer, how- 
ever, or one that may tend rather to encourage the hopes of the sick, is 
surely the most proper. This eooduct could neither hurt the patient 
nor the physician. Nothing tends more to destroy the credit of phys- 
ic thau those bold prognosticates, who. by the bye, are generally the 
most ignorant of the faculty. — The mistakes which daily happen it* 
this way are so many standing proofe of human vanity, and the weak- 
ness of science. 

We readily admit, that there are cases where the physician ought to- 
give intimation of the patient's danger to some of his near connections ; 
though even this ought always to be done with the greatest caution ; 
but it never can be necessary in any case that the whole town and coun- 
try should know, immediately after the doctor has made his first visit, 
that he has n» hopes of his patient's recovery. Persons whose imper- 
tinent curiosity leads them to question the physician, with regard to the 
fate of his patient, certainly deserves no other than an evasive answer. 

The vanity of foretelling the fate of the sick is not peculiar to the fac- 
ulty. Others follow their example, and those who think themselves 
wiser than their neighbours, often do much hurt in this way. Human- 
ity surely calls upon every one to comfort the sick, and not to add to 
their affliction by alarming their fears. A friend, or even a physician* 
may often do more good by a mild and sympathizing behaviour than by 



OF THE PASSIONS. Si 

Baedkioe, and should never neglect to administer that greatest of all 
«#rdials, Hope. 

Of Grief. 

Grief is the roost destructive of all the passions. Its effects are per- 
manent; and when it sinks deep into the mind, it generally proves fatal. 
Anger and fear being of a more violent nature, seldom last long; but 
grief often changes into a fixed melancholy, which preys upon the spir- 
its, and wastes the constitution. This passion ought not to be indulged. 
It may generally be conquered at the beginning; but when it has gain- 
ed strength, all attempts to remove it are vain. 

No person can prevent misfortunes in life; but it shows true greatness 
of mind to bear them with serenity. Many persons make a merit of 
indulging grief, and when misfortunes happen, they obstinately refuse all 
consolation, till the mind, overwhelmed with melancholy, sinks under 
the load. Such conduct is not only destructive to health, but incon- 
sistent with reason, religion and common sense. 

Change of ideas is as necessary for health as change of posture. 
"When the mind dwells long upon one subject, especially of a disagreea- 
ble nature, it hurts the whole functions of the body. Hence grief in- 
dulged spoils the digestion and destroys the appetite ; by which means 
the spirits are depressed, the nerves relaxed, the bowels inflated with 
wind, and the humours, for want of fresh supplies of chyle, vitiated. 
Thus many an excellent constitution has been ruined by a family mis- 
fortune, or any thing that occasions excessive grief. 

It is utterly impossible that any person of a dejected mind should en- 
joy health. Life indeed may be dragged out for a few years ; but 
whoever would live to a good old age, must be good humoured and cheer- 
ful. This indeed is not altogether in our own power; yet our temper 
of mind, as well as our actions, depend greatly upon ourselves. We 
can either associate with cheerful or melancholy companions, mingle in 
the amusements and offices in life, or sit still and brood over our ca- 
lamities as we choose. These, and many such things, are Gertainly in 
our power, and from these the miad generally takes its cast. 

The variety of scenes which present themselves to the senses, were 
«ertainly designed to prevent our attention from being too long fixed up* 
on any one object. Nature abounds with variety, and the mind, unless 
fixed down by habit, delights in contemplating new objects. This at 
once points out the method of relieving the mind in distress. Turn 
the attention frequently to new objects. Examine them for some time. 
When the mind begins to recoil.shift the scene. By this means a con- 
stant succession of new ideas may be kept up, till the disagreeable ones 
entirely disappear. Thus travelling, the study of any art or science, 
reading, or writing on such subjects as deeply engage the attention, will 
«i>oner expel grief than the most sprightly amusements. 



1*50 OF THE PASSIONS. 

It has already been observed, that the body cannot be healthy unless 
St be exercised ; neither can the mind Indolence nourishes grief. 
When the mind has noihing else to think of but calamities, no wonder 
that it dwells there. Few people who pursue business with attention, 
are hurt by grief. Instead therefore of abstracting ourselves from the 
world or business when misfortunes happen, wo ought to engage in it 
with more than usual attention, to discharge with double diligence the 
functions of our station, and to mix with friends of a cheerful and social 
temper 

Innocent amusements are by no means to be neglected. These, by 
leading the miud insensibly to the contemplation of agreeable objects, 
help to dispel the gloom which misfortunes cast over it. They make 
time seem less tedious, and have many other happy effects. 

Some persons, when overwhelmed with grief, betake themselves to 
drinking. This is making the care woise than the disease. It seldom 
fails to end in the ruin of fortune, character, and constitution. 



Of Love. 

Love is perhaps the strongest of all the passions ; at least, when it 
becomes violent, it is lets subject to the controul either of the under- 
standing or will, than any of the rest. Fear, anger, and several other 
passions, are necessary for the preservation of the individual, but love 
is necessary for the continuation of the species itself: it was therefore 
proper that this passion should be deeply rooted in the human breast. 

Though love be a strong passion, it is seldom so rapid in its pro-" 
gTess as several of the others. Few persons fail desperately in love 
all at once. We would therefore advise every one, before he tampers 
with this passion, to consider well the probability of his being able to 
obrain the object of his wishes. Wheu that is not likely, he should 
avoid every occasion of increasing it. He ought immediately to flee 
the company of the beloved object; to apply his mind attentively to 
business or study ; to take every kind of amusement ; and above all, to 
endeavour, if possible, to find another object which may engage his af- 
fections, and which it may be in his power to obtain. 

There is no passion with which people are 60 ready to tamper as 
love, although none is more dangerous. Some men make love for 
amusement, others from mere vanity, or on purpose to show their conse- 
quence with the fair. This is perhaps the greatest piece of cruelty 
which any one can be guilty of. What we eagerly wish for we easily 
credit. Hence the too credulous fair are often betrayed into a situa- 
tion which is truly deplorable, before they are able to discover that 
the pretended lover was only in jest. But there is no jesting with this 
passion, Whea love has got to a certain height, it admits of no other 



OF THE PASSIONS. 101 

cure but the possession of its object, which in this case ought always, 
if possible, to be, obtained.* 

Of Religious Melancholy. 

Many persons of a religious turn of mind behave as if they thought 
it a crime to be cheerful. They imagine the whole of religion consists 
in certain mortifications, or denying themselves the smallest indulgence, 
even of the most innocent amusements. A perpetual gloom hangs over 
their countenances, while the deepest melancholy preys upon their 
minds. At length the fairest prospects vanish, every thing puts on a 
dismal appearance, and those very objects which ought to give delight, 
afford nothing but disgust. — Life itself beconus a burthen, and the un- 
happy wretch, persuaded that no evil can equal what he feels, often 
puts an end to his miserable existence. 

It is great pity that ever religion should be so far perverted, as to 
become the cause of those very evils which it was designed to cure. 
Nothing can be better calculated than True Religion, to raise and sup- 
port the mind of its votaries under every affliction that can befall them. 
It teaches men that even the sufferings of this life are preparatory to 
the happiness of the next; and that all who persist in a course of vir- 
tue shall at length arrive at complete felicity. 

Persons whose business it is to recommend religion to others, shonld 
beware of dwelling too much on gloomy subjects. That peace and 
tranquillity of mind, which true religion is calculated to inspire, is a 
more powerful argument in its favour than all the terrors that can be 
uttered. Terror may indeed deter men from outward acts of wicked- 
ness, but can never inspire them with that love of God, and real good- 
ness of heart, in which alone true religion consists. 

To conclude; the best way to counteract the violence of any passion., 
is to keep the mind closely engaged in some useful pursuit. 

* The conduct ef parents with regard to the disposal of their children 
in marriage is often very blameable. An advantageous match is the 
constant aim of parents ; while their children often suffer a real mar- 
tyrdom betwixt their inclinations and duty. The first thing which pa- 
rents ought to consult in disposing of their children in marriage, is cer- 
tainly their inclinations. Were due regard always paid to these, there 
would be fewer unhappy couples, and parents would not have so oft- 
en cause to repent the severity of their conduct, after a ruined consti- 
tution, a lost character, or a distracted mind, has shown them their 
mistake. 



&2 OF THB COMMON EFACVATIONS, 



CHAPTER XI. 



OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 



THE principal evacuations from the human body are those by stool, 
urine, and insensible perspiration. None of these can be long ob- 
structed without impairing the health. When that which ought to be 
thrown off the body is long retained, it not only occasions a plethora, 
©r too great fullness of the vessels, but acquires qualities whici) are 
hurtful to the health, as acrimony, putrescence, &c. 

Of the Evacuation by Stool. 

Few things conduce more to health than keeping the body regular. 
When the faeces lie too long in the bowels, they vitiate the humours; 
and when they are too soon discharged, the body is not sufficiently nour- 
ished. A medium is therefore to be desired, which can only be obtained 
by regularity in diet, sleep, and exercise.— Whenever the body is not 
regular, there is reason to suspect a fault in one or other of these. 

Persons who eat and drink at irregular hours, and who eat various 
kinds of food, and drink of several different liquors at every meal, have 
no reason to expect either that their digestion will be good, or their 
discharges regular. Irregularity in eating and drinking disturbs eve- 
ry part of the animal economy, and never fails to occasion diseases. 
Either too much or too little food will have this effect. The former 
indeed generally occasions looseness, and the latter costiveuess; but 
both have a tendency to hurt the health. 

It would be difficult to ascertain the exact number of stools which 
may be consistent with health, as these differ in the different periods of 
life, in different constitutions, and even in the same constitution under 
a different regimen of diet, exercise, &c. It is howtver generally al- 
lowed, that one stool a day is sufficient for an adult, and that less is 
hurtful. But this, like most general rules, admits of many exceptions. 
I have known persons in perfect health who did not go to stool above 
once a- week. 4 * Such a degree of costiveoes* however is not safe ; 
chough the person who labours under it may for some time enjoy tole- 
rable health, yet at length it may occasion diseases. 

* Some persons have told me that they did not go t« stool above 



OF THE COMMON BrjOUjiTIONS. 109 

One Biethed of procuring a stool every day is to rise betimes, and 
go abroad io the oped air. Not only the posture io bed is unfavoura- 
ble to regular stools, but also the warmth. This, by promoting tlie 
perspiration, lessens all the other discharges. 

The method recommended for this purpose by Mr. Locke is like- 
wise very proper, vis. to solicit nature, by going regularly to stool 
every morning whether one has a call or noL Habits of this kind 
may be acquired, which will in time become natural. 

Persons who have a frequent recourse to medicines for preventing 
costiveness, seldom foil to ruin their constitution. Purging medicines 
frequently repeated, weaken the bowels, hurt the digestion, and every 
dose makes way for another, till at length they become as necessary as 
daily bread. Those who are troubled with costiveness ought rather, 
if possible, to remove it by diet than drugs. They should likewise g6 
thinly cloathed, and avoid every thing of an astringent or of an heat- 
ing nature. The diet and other regimen necessary in this case wil! 
be found under the article Costiveness, where this state of the bowels 
is treated as a disease. 

Such persons as are troubled with an habitual looseness ought like- 
wise to suit their diet to the nature of their complaint. They should 
use food which braces and strengthens the bowels, and which is rather 
of an astringent quality, as wheat-bread made of the finest flour* 
cheese, eggs, rice boiled in milk, &c. Their drink should be red 
port, claret, brandy and water, in which toasted bread has been boiled, 
and such like. 

As an habitual looseness is often owing to an obstructed perspiration, 
persons affected with it ought to keep their feet warm, to Wear flannel 
next their skin, and take every other method to promote the perspira- 
tion. Further directions with regard to the treatment of this complainfe 
will be found under the article Looseness. 

Of Urine. 

So many things tend to change both the quantity and appearances 
ef the urine, that it is very difficult to lay down any determined rules 
forjudging of either.* Dr. Cheyne says, the urine ought to be equal 

* It has long been an observation among physicians, that the appear- 
ances, of the urine, are Very uncertain, and very little to be depended 
on. No one will be surprised at this wb» considers how many ways it 
smay be affected, and consequently have its appearance altered.— The 
passions, the state of the atmosphere, the quantity and quality of the 
food, the exercise, the clothing, the state of the other evacuations, and 
numberless other causes, are sufficient to induce a change either in the 
quantity or the appearance of the urine. Any one who attends to this 
■will be astonished at the impudence of those dariDg quacks, who pre- 



104 OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 

to three-fourths of the liquid part of our aliment. But suppose any 
one were to take the trouble of measuring both, he would find that ev- 
ry thing which altered the degree of perspiration, would alter this 
proportion, and likewise that different kinds of aliment would afford 
very different quantities of urine. Though for these, and other reasons, 
do rule can be given for judging of the precise quantity of urine which 
ought lo be discharged, yet a person of common sense will seldom be 
at a loss to know when it is in either extreme. 

As a free discharge of uriae not only prevents but actually cures 
many diseases, it ought by all means to be promoted; and every thing 
that may obstruct it should be carefully avoided. Both the secretion 
and discharge of urine are lessened by a sedentary life, sleeping on 
beds that are too soft and warm, food of a dry and heating quality, li- 
quors which are astringent and heating, as red port, claret, and such 
like. Those who have reason to suspect that their urine is in too small 
quantity, or who have any symptoms of the gravel, ought not only to 
avoid these tilings, but whatever else they find has a tendency to lessen 
the quantity of their urine. 

V\ hen the urine is too long retained, is is not only reabsorbed, or 
taken up agaiu into the mass of fluids, but by stagnating in the bladder 
it becomes thicker, the more watery parts flying off first, and the more 
gross and earthly remaining behind By the constant tendency which 
these have to concrete, the formation of stones and gravel in the blad- 
der is promoted. Hence it comes to pass that indolent and sedentary* 
people are much more liable to these diseases, than persons of a more 
active life. 

Many persons have lost their lives, and others have brought on very 
tedious, and even incurable disorders by retaining their urine too long, 
from a fal.-e delicacy. When the bladder has been over distended, it 
often loses its power of actiou altogether, or becomes paralytic, by which 
means it is rendered unable either to retain the urine, or expel it pro- 
perly. The calls of nature ought never to be postponed. Delicacy is 
doubtless a virtue, but that can never be reckoned true delicacy, which 
induces any one to risk his health or hazard his life. 

But the urine may be in too great rs well as too small a quantity. 
This may be occasioned by drinking large quantities of weak and wa- 

tend to find out diseases, and prescribe to patients, from the bare in- 
spection of their urine. These impostors, however, are very common 
all over Britain, and, by the amazing credulity of the populace, many 
of them amass considerable fortunes. Of all the medical prejudices 
which prevail in this country, that in favour of crine doctors is the 
strongest. The common people have still an unlimited faith in their 
skill, although it has been demonstrated that no one of them is able to 
distinguish the mine of a horse or any other animal, from that of a 
man. 



OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. loi 

tevy liquors, by the excessive use of alkaline salts, or any thing that 
stimulates the kidneys, dilutes the blood, &c. This disorder very sooa 
weakens the body, and induces a consumption. It is difficult to cure, 
but may be mitigated by strengthening diet and astringent medicines, 
such as are recommended under the article Diabetes, or excessive dis-, 
charge of uriue. 

Of the Perspiration. 

Tnseusible perspiration is generally reckoned the greatest of all the 
discharges from the human body. It is of so great importance to health, 
tViat few diseases attack us while it goes properly on; but when it is 
obstructed, the whole frame is soon disordered. This discharge how- 
ever, being less perceptible than any of the rest, is consequently less at- 
tended to. Hence it is, that acute fevers, rheumatisms, agues, &c. oft- 
en proceed from obstructed perspiration, before we are aware of its 
having taken place. 

On examining patients, we find most of them impute their diseases 
either to violent colds which they had caught, or to slight ones which 
had been neglected. • For this reason, instead of a critical inquiry into 
the nature of the perspiration, its difference in different seasons, cli- 
mates, constitutions, &c. we shall endeavour to point out the causes 
which most commonly obstruct it, and to show how far they may either 
be avoided, or have their influence counteracted by timely care. The 
want of a due attention to these, costs Britain annually some thousands 
of useiul lives. 

Changes in the Atmosphere. 

One of the most common causes of obstructed perspiration, or catch- 
ing cold, in this country, is the changeableness of the weather, or state 
of the atmosphere. There is no place where such changes happen 
more frequently than in Great- Britain : With us the degrees of heat 
and cold are not only very different in the different seasons of the year, 
but often change almost from one extreme to another in a few days, 
and sometimes even in the course of one day. That such changes 
must affect the state of the perspiration is obvious to every one.* 

• # I never kuew a more remarkable instance of the uncertainty of 
the weather in this country, than happened when I was writing these 
notes. This morning, August 14, I 783, the thermometer in the shade 
was down at fifty-three degrees, and a very few minutes ago it stood 
above eighty. No one who reflects on such great and sudden changes 
in the atmosphere, will be surprised to find colds, coughs, rheums, 
with other affections of the breast and bowels, so common in this 
country,, 

14 



Tffl 0F THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 

The best method of fortifying the body against the changes o 
weather, is to be abroad every day. Those who keep must w 
doors are most liable to catch colds. Such persons general!) render 
themselves so delicate as to feci even the slightest changes mi the at- 
Bfiosphere, and by their pah s, coughs, and oppressions of the bi 
&c. they become "a kind of living barometers. 

Wei Clothes. 

Wet clothes not only by their coldness obstruct the perspiration, 
but their moisture by being absorbed, or taken up intu the b< 
greatly increases the danger. The most robutt constitution is not 
proof against the danger arising from yet clothes; they da ly occasion 
fevers, rheumatisms, and other fatal disorders, eveu iu the young and 
healthy. 

it is impossible for people who frequently go abroad to avoid some- 
times being wet. But the danger might generallj be lessened, if not 
wholly prevented, by changing their clothes soon ; when 1 1 1 is* cawjot be 
done, they should keep in motion till they dry. So far are man} frorb 
taking this precaution, that the} often sit or lie d/.un in the fields with 
their clothes wet, and frequently sleep even whole nights in this condi- 
tion. The frequent instances which we have oi~ the fatal effects of 
this conduct, ought certainly to deter all from being guilty of it. 

Wd Fed. 

Even wet feet often occasion fatal diseases. The cholic, inflamwa- 
"ions of the.ineast and of the bowels, the iliac passion, cholera morbus^ 
A'c. are often occasioned by wet feet. Habit will, no doubt render 
ibis less dangerous ; but it ought, as far as possible, to be avoided. The 
•lelicate, and those who are not accustomed to have their clothes or 
feel wet, shot! Id be peculiarly careful in this respect. 

Night, Air. 

The. perspiration is often obstructed by yight air ; even in summer, 
this ought to be avoided. The dews which fall plentifully after the 
hottest day, make the night more dangerous, than when the weather b 
cool. Hence, in warm countries, the evening dews are more hurtful 
than where the climate is more temperate. 

It is very agreeable after a warm day to be abroad in a cool cve- 
UiDg ; but this is a pleasure to be avoided by all who value their health. 
The effects ef evening dews are gradual indeed, and almost imper- 
ceptible; but they are not the less to be dreaded : we would therefore 
advise travellers-, labourers, and all who are much heated by day, care- 
fully to avoid them. When the perspiration has been great, these, be- 



OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 107 

ferine dangerous in proportion. By not attending to this, in flat marshy 
con itiies, where Use exhalations and dews are copious, labourers are 
'■often seized with intermitting fevers, quinseys, and other dangerous 

diseases. 



Damp Beds. 

Beds become damp, either from their not being used, standing iu 
clamp houses, or in rooms without fire, or from the linen not being dry 
when laid on the bed. Toothing is more to be dreaded by travellers 
tlini) damp beds, which are very common in ail places where fuel is 
scarce. When a traveller, cold and wet, arrives at an inn, he may 
by means of a good fire, warm diluting liquor, and a dry bed, have 
the perspiration restored; but if he be put into a cold room, and laid 
in a damp bed, it will be more obstructed, and the worst consequences 
will ensue. Tiavellers should avoid inns which are noted for damp 
be<is, as they would a house infected with the plague, as no man, how- 
ever robust, is proof against the danger arising from them. 

But inns are not the only places where damp beds are to be met wit-fro 
Beds kept in private families for the reception of strangers are often 
equally dangerous. All kinds of linen and bedding, when not frequent- 
ly used, become damp. How theu is it possible that beds, which are 
dot slept in above two or three times a year, should be safe? Nothing is 
more commou than to hear people complain of having caught cold by 
changing their bed. The reason is obvious: were they careful never 
to sleep in a bed but what was frequently used, they would seldom find. 
any inconsequences from a change. 

Nothing is more to be dreaded by a delicate person when on a visit, 
than being laid in a bed which is kept on purpose for strangers. That 
ill-judged piece of complaisance becomes a real injury. All the bad 
consequences from this quarter might easily be prevented in private 
families, by causing their servants to sleep in the spare beds, and resign 
them to strangers when they come. In inns, where the beds are used 
almost every night, oothing else is necessary than to keep the rooms 
well seasoned by frequent fires, and the linen dry. 

That baneful custom said to be practised in many inris, of damping 
sheets, and pressing them in orcter to save washing, and afterwards 
laying them on the'beds, ought, when discovered, to be punished with the 
utmost severity. It is really a species of murder, and will often prove 
as fatal as poison or gun shot. Indeed linen, especially if it has 
been washed in winter, ought not to be used till it has been ex- 
posed for some time to the fire; nor is this operation less necessary 
for linen washed in summer, provided it has lain by for any length of 
rnm-4. This caution k- the more needful, as.gentkm^p are oUen excee- 



108 OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 

dingly attentive to what they eat or driuk at an inn, yet pay no regard 
to a circumstance of much more importance.* 

Damp Houses. 

Damp houses frequently produce the like ill consequences; for thh 
reason those who build should be careful to chuse a dry situation. A 
house which stands on a damp marshy soil or deep clay, will never be 
thoroughly dry. All houses, unless where the ground is exceedingly 
dry, should have the first floor a little raised. Servants and others who 
are obliged to live in cellars and sunk stories, seldom continue long in 
health : masters ought surely to pay some regard to the health of their 
servants, as well as to tluir "own. 

^othing is mere common than for people, merely to avoid some 
trifling ioconv'eniency, to hazard iheir lives, by inhabiting a house al- 
most as soon as the masons, plasterers, &c. have done with it; such 
bouses are not only dangerous from their dampness, but. likewise from 
the smell of lime, paint, Arc. The asthmas, consumptions, and other 
diseases of the lungs, so incident to people who work in these articles, 
are sufficient proofs of their being unwholesome. 

Rooms are often rendered damp by an unseasonable piece of cleanli- 
ness; I mean the pernicious custom of washing them immediately before 
company is put iuto them. Most people catch cold, if they sit but a 
very short time in a room that has been lately washed; the delicate 
ought carefully to avoid such a situation, and even the robust are not 
always proof against iti iufiuence.f 

Suddoi Transitions from Heat to Cold. 

The perspiration is commonly obstructed by sudden transitions 
from heat to cold. Colds are seldom caught, unless when people have 
been too much heated. Heat rarities the blood, quickens the circula- 
tion, aud increases the perspiration ; but when these are suddenly 
checked, the consequences must be bad. It is indeed impossible for 
labourers not to be hot upon some occasions : but it is generally in their 
power to let themselves cool gradually to put on their clothes when they 

* If a person suspects that his b<*d is damp, the simple precaution of 
taking off the sheets and lying in the blankets, with all, or most of his 
clothes on, will prevent all the danger. 1 have practised this for many 
years, and never have been hurt by damp beds, though no constitution, 
■without caie, is proof against their baneful influence. 

t People imagine if a good fire is made in a room after it has been 
washed, that there is no dancer from sitting in it; but they must give 
me leave to saytfifft this increases the danger. The evaporation -exci- 
ted by the fire generates cold, and renders the damp more active. 



OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 109 

leave off work, to make choice of a dry place to rest themselves in, and 
to avoid sleeping; io the opeQ fields. These easy rules if observed, would 
often prevent fevers, and other fatal disorders. 

•.It is very common for people when hot, to drink freely of cold water, 
or small liquors. This conduct is extremely dangerous. — Thirst in- 
deed is hard to bear, and the inclination to gratify that appetite fre- 
quently gets the better of reason, and makes us do what our judgment 
disapproves. Every peasant, however knows, if his horse be permitted 
to drink his belly full of cold water affcer violent exercise, aud be im- 
mediately put into the stable, or suffered to remain at rest, that it will 
kill him. This they take the utmost care to prevent. It were well if 
they were equally attentive to their own safety. 

Thirst may be quenched many w 7 ays without swallowing large quanti- 
ties of cold liquor. The fields afford variety of acid fruits aud plants, 
the very chewing of which would abate thirst Water k^nt in the 
mouth for some time, and spit out again, if frequently repeated, will 
have the same effect. If a bit of bread be eaten along with a few 
rnouthfuls of water, it will both quench thirst more effectually, and 
make the danger less. When a person is extremely hot, a mouthful 
of brandy, or other spirits, if it can be obtained, ought to be, preferred 
to any thing else But if any one has been so foolish, when hot, as to 
drink freely of cold liquor, he ought to continue his exercise at least 
till what he drank be thoroughly warmed upon his stomach 

It would be tedious to enumerate all the bad effect? which flow from 
drinking cold liquors when the body is hot. Sometimes this has occa- 
sioned immediate death. Hoarseness, quinseys, aitd fevers of various 
kinds, are its common consequences Neither is it safe when warm to 
eat freely of raw fruits, sallads, or the like. These indeed have not so 
sudden an effect on the body as cold liquors, but they are notwithstand- 
ing dangerous, and ought to be avoided 

Sitting in a warm room, and drinking hot liquors till the pores are 
quite open, and immediately going into the cold air, is extremely dan- 
gerous. Colds, coughs, and inflammations of the breast, are the usual 
effects of this conduct; yet nothing is more common than for people, af- 
ter they have drank warm liquors for several hourt, to walk or ride a 
Dumber of miles in the coldest night, or to ramble about in the streets.* 

People are very apt, when a room is hot, to throw open a window, 
and to sit near it. This is the most dangerous practice. Any persou 
had better sit without doors than in such a situation, as the current of 

* The beer houses in great towns, where such numbers of people 
spend their evenings, are highly pernicious. The breath of a number 
of people crowded into a lower apartment, with the addition of fires, 
candles, the smoke of tobacco, and the fumes of hot liquor. &c must 
not only render it hurtful to continue in such places, but dangerous ta 
go out of them into a cold and chilly atmosphere. 



OF THE COMMON EVACUATIONS. 

r,ir is directed against one particular part of the body. Inflammatory 
levers and consumptions have often been occasioned by sitting or standing 
thinly clothed uear an open window. Nor is sleeping with open 
■windows less to be dreaded. That ought never to be done, even in the 
hottest season, unless the window is at a distance. 1 have known me- 
chanics frequently contract fatal diseases, by working slript at an open 
■window, and would advise all of them to beware of such a practice. 

Few things expose people more to catch cold thau keeping their own 
houses too warm : such persons may be said to live iu a sort of hot- 
houses : they can hardly stir abroad to visit a neighbour but at the 
hazard of their lives. Were there uo other reason lor keeping house* 
moderately cool, that alone is sufficient : but no house that is too hot. 
can be wholesome ; heat destroys the spring and elasticity of the air, 
renders it less fit for expanding die lungs, and the other purposes of 
respiration. Hence it is that consumptions and oilier diseases of the 
huigs prove so fatal to people who work in forges, glass-houses, and the 
like. 

Some are even so fool hardy, as to plunge themselves when hot, in 
cold water. Not only fevers, but madness itself, has frequently been 
the effVctrof this conduct. Indeed it looks too much like the action of a 
madman to deserve a serious consideration. 

The result of ail these observations is, that every one ought to avoid, 
with the utmost attention, all sudden transitions from heat to cold, and to 
keep the body in as uniform a temperature as possible ; or where that 
caunot be done, to take care to let it cool gradually. 

People may imagine that too strict an attention to these things would 
tend to render them delicate. So far however is this from being my 
design, that the very first rule proposed for preventing colds, is to harden 
the body, by inuring it daily to the open air. 

I shall put an end to what relates to this part of my subject, by giv- 
ing an abstract of the justly celebrated advice of Celsus, with respect 
to the preservation of health. " A man," says he. " who is blessed 
with good health, should confine himself to no particular rides, either 
■with respect to regimen or medicine. He ought frequently to diversi- 
fy his manner of living ; to be sometimes in town, sometimes in the 
country ; to hunt, sa : !, indulge himself in rest, but more frequently to 
use exercise He ought to refuse no kind of food that is commonly 
used, but sometimes to eat more and sometimes le=s; sometimes to make 
one at an entertainment, and sometimes to forbear it ; to make rather 
two meals a-day than one, and always to eat heartily, provided he can 
digest it. He should be careful in time of health not to destroy, by 
excesses of any kind, that vigor of constitution which should support 
under sickness." 



FART II 

OF DISEASES, 



CHAPTER XII; 



OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND CURE OF DISEASES. 

THE cure of diseases does not depend so much upon scientific prin- 
ciples as many imagine. It is chiefly the result of experience and 
observation. By attending the sick, and carefully observing the rarious 
.occurrences in diseases, a great degree of accuracy may be acquired, 
both in distinguishing their symptoms, and in the application of medicines. 
Hence sensible nurses, and other persons who wait upon the sick, often 
foresee the patient's fate sooner than those who have been bred to physic. 
■We do not however mean to insinuate that a medical education is of no 
use: It is doubtless of the greatest importance; but it never can sup- 
ply the place of observation and experience. 

Every disease may be considered as an assemblage of symptoms, 
aad must be distinguished by those which are most obvious and per- 
manent Instead therefore of giving a classical arrangement 'of diseas- 
es, according to the systematic method, it will be more suitable, in a 
performance of this nature, to give a full and accurate description of 
each particular disease as it occurs; and, where any of the symptoms 
of one disease have a near resemblance to those of another, to take no- 
tice of that circumstance, and at the same time to point out the peculiar 
or characteristic symptoms by which it may be distinguished. By a 
due attention to these, the investigation of diseases will be found to be a 
less difficult matter than most people would at first be ready to ima- 
gine. 

A proper attention to the patient's age, sex, temper of mind, constitu- 
tion, and maimer of life, will likewise greatly assist, both in the investi- 
gation and treatment of diseases. 



112 OF THE KNOWLEDGE 

In childhood the fibres are lax and soft, the nerves extremely irrita- 
ble, aud the fluids thin ; whereas in old age the fibres are rigid, the 
nerves become almost insensible, and niauy of the vessels imperviable. 
Tht 3 se and other peculiarities render the diseases of the young and 
aged very different, aud of course they must require a different method 
of treatment. 

Females are liable to many diseases which do not afflict the other 
sex : besides, the nervous system being more irritable in them than in 
men, their diseases require to be treated with greater caution. — They 
are less able to bear large evacuations ; and all stimulating medicines 
ought to be administered to them with a sparing hand. 

Particular constitutions not only dispose persons to peculiar diseases, 
but likewise render it necessary to treat these diseases in a peculiar 
manner. A delicate person, for example, with weak nerves, who lives 
mostly within doors, must not be treated, under any disease, precisely 
in the same manner as one who is hardy and robust, and who is much 
exposed to the open air. 

The temper of mind ought to be carefully attended to in diseases. 
Fear, anxiety, and a fretful temper, both occasion and aggravate dis- 
eases. In vain do we apply medicines to the body to remove maladies 
which proceed from the mind. When it is effected, the best medicine 
is to soothe the passions, to divert the mind from anxious thought, and 
to keep the patient as easy and cheerful as possible. 

Attention ought likewise to be paid to the climate, or place where 
the patient lives, the air he breathes, his diet, &c. Such as live in 
low marshy situations are subject to many diseases which are unknown 
to the inhabitants of high countries. Those who breathe the impure 
air of cities, have many maladies to which the more happy rustics are 
entire strangers. Persons who feed grossly, and indulge in strong li- 
quors, are liable to diseases which do not affect the temperate and ab- 
stemious, &c. 

It has already been observed, that the different occupations and situ- 
ations in life dispose men to peculiar diseases. It is therefore necessary 
to inquire into the patient's occupation, manner of life, &c. This will 
not ouly assist us in finding out the disease, but will likewise direct us 
in the treatment of it. It would be very imprudent to treat the labo- 
rious and the sedentary precisely in the same manner, even supposing 
them to labour under the same disease. 

It will likewise be proper to inquire, whether the disease be consti- 
tutional or accidental ; whether it has been of long or short duration ; 
whether it proceeds from any great and sudden alteration in the diet, 
manner of life, &c. The state of the patient's body and of the other 
evacuations, ought also to be inquired into ; and likewise whether he 
can with ease perform all the vital aud animal functions, as breathing, 
digestion, Sec. 



AND CURE OF DISEASES. 113 

Lastly, it will be proper to inquire what diseases the patient has 
formerly been liable to, and what medicines were most beneficial to 
him ; it' he has a strong aversion to any particular drug, &c. 

As many of the indications of cure may be answered by diet alone, 
it is always the first thing to be attended to in the treatment of diseases. 
Those who know no better, imagine that every thing which goes by the 
name of a medicine possesses some wonderful power or secret charm, 
and think, if the patient swallows enough of drugs, that he must do well- 
This mistake has many ill consequences ; it makes people trust to 
drugs, and neglect their own endeavors ; besides it discourages all at- 
tempts to relieve the sick where medicines cannot be obtained. 

Medicines are no doubt useful in their places ; and when administer- 
ed with prudence, they may do much good ; but when they are put in 
place of every thing else, or admiuistered at random, which is not sel- 
dom the case, they must do mischief. We would therefore wish to call 
the attention of mankind from the pursuit of secret medicines, to such 
things as they are acquainted with. The proper regulation of these 
may ofteu do much good, and there is little danger of their ever doing 
hurt. 

Every disease weakens the digestive powers. The diet ought there- 
fore, in all cases, to be light and of easy digestion. It would be as 
prudent for a person with a broken leg to attempt to walk, as for one 
in a fever to eat the same kind of food, and in the same quantity, as 
when he was iu perfect health Even abstinence alone will often cure 
a fever, especially when it has been occasioned by excess in eatiog or 
drioking 

In all fevers attended with inflammation, as pleurisies, peripneuraonies, 
&c. thin gruels, wheys, watery infusions of mucilaginous plants, roots, 
&c. are not only proper for the patient's food, but they are likewise 
the best medicines which can be administered. 

In fevers, of a slow, nervous, or putrid kind, where there are no 
symptoms of inflammation, and where the patient must be supported 
vith cordials, that intention can always be more effectually answered 
by nourishing diet and generous wines, than by any medicines yet 
known 

Nor is a proper attention to the diet of less importance in chronic 
than in acute diseases. Persons afflicted with low spirits, wind, weak 
nerves, and other hypochondriacal affections, generally find more ben- 
efit from the use of solid food aud generous liquors, than from all the 
cordial and carminative medicines, which can be administered to them. 

The scurvy, that most obstinate malady, will sooner yield to a prop- 
er vegetable diet, than to all the boasted antiscorbutic remedies of the 
shops. 

In consumptions, when the humours are vitiated, and the stomach 
so much weakened as to be unable to digest the solid fibres of animals, 
or even to assimilate the juices of vegetables, a diet consisting chiefly 
15 



tI4 OF FEVERS IN GENERAL. 

Qfmilk, is ill not only support the patient, but will often cure the dis- 
ease after every other medicine lias failed. 

Nor is an attention to other things of less importance than to diet. 
The strange infatuation which lias long induced people to shut up the 
sick from all communication with the external a?r has done great mis- 
chief. Not only in fevers, but many other diseases, the patient will re- 
ceive more benefit from having the fresh air prudently admitted into 
his chamber, than from all the medicines which can be given him. 

Exercise may likewise in many cases be considered as a medicine, 
Sailirjg, or riding on horseback, for example, will, be of move service* 
in the cure of consumptions, glandular obstructions, &c. than any med- 
icine yet known. In diseases which proceed from a relaxed state of 
the solids, the cold bath, and other parts of the gymnastic regimen, will 
be found equally beneficial. 

Few things are of greater importance in the cure of diseases than 
cleanliness. When a patient is suffered to lie in dirty clothes, what- 
ever perspires from his body is again reabsorbed, or taken up into it, 
which serves to nourish the disease and increase the danger. Many 
diseases may be cured by cleanliness alone ; most of them may be 
mitigated by it, and in all of them it is highly necessary both for the 
patient and those who attend him. 

Many other observations, were it necessary, might be adduced to 
prove the importance of a proper regimen in diseases. Regimen will 
often cure diseases without medicine, but medicine will seldom succeed 
where a proper, regimen is neglected. For this reason, in the. treat- 
ment of diseases, we have always given the first place to regimen. 
Those who are ignorant of medicine may confine themselves to it only. 
For others who have more knowledge, we have recommended some of 
the most simple but approved forms of medicine in every disease. 
These however are never to be administered but by people of better 
aridersianding ; nor even by them without the greatest precaution. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



OF FEFERS IN GENERAL. 

AS more than one half of mankind is said to perish by fevev6, itif 
of importance to be acquainted with their causes. The most 
general causes of fevers are, infection, errors in diet, unnhohsoine air, 
violent emotions of the mind, excess cr suppression of usual evacua- 
tions t external er internal injuries, and extreme degrees of heat or col(L 



OF FEFERS IA r GENERAL. U5 

&s most of these have already been treated of at considerable length, 
snd their effects shewn, we shall not now resume the consideration of 
them, but stiall only recommend it to all, as they would wish to avoid 
fevers and other fatal diseases, to pay the most punctual attention to 
these articles. 

Fevers are not only the most frequent of all diseases, but they are 
likewise »he most complex. In the most simple species of fever there 
is always a combination of several different symptoms. The distin- 
guishing symptoms of fever are, increased heat, frequency of pulse, loss 
of appetite, general debility, pain in the head, and a difficulty in per- 
forming some of the vital or animal functions. The symptoms usual- 
ly attendant on fevers are, nausea, thirst, anxiety, delirium, weariness, 
"wasting of the flesh, want of sleep, or the sleep disturbed and not re- 
freshiug. 

When the fever comes on gradually, the patient generally complains 
first of languor or listlessness, soreness of the flesh, or the bones, as the 
country people express it, heaviness of the head, loss of appetite, sick- 
ness, with clamminess of the mouth ; after some time come on excessive 
heat, violent thirst, restlessness, &c. 

When the fever attacks suddenly, it always begins with an uneasy 
sensation of excessive cold, accompanied with debility and loss of ap 
petite ; frequently the cold is attended with shivering, oppression about 
the heart, and sickness at stomach, or vomiting. 

Fevers are divided into continual, "remitting, intermitting, and such 
as are attended with cutaneous eruption or topical inflammation as the 
small pox, erysipelas, &c. By a continual fever is meant that which 
never leaves the patient during the whole course of the disease, 
or which shows no remarkable increase or abatement in the symptoms. 
This kind of fever is likewise divided into acute, slow, and malignant. 
The fever is called acute when its progress is quick, and the symptoms 
violent ; but when these are more gentle, it is generally denominated 
slow. When lived or petechial spots shew a putrid state of the hu- 
mours, the fever is called malignant, putrid, or petechial. 

A remitting fever differs from a continual only in a degree. It has 
frequent increases and decreases, or exacerbations and remissions, but 
never wholly leaves the patient during the course of the disease. In- 
termitting fevers or agues are those which, during the time that the 
patient may be said to be ill, have evident intervals or remissions of 
the symptoms. 

As a fever is only an effort of Nature to free herself from an offend- 
ing cause, it is the business of those who have the care of the sick to 
observe with diligence which way Nature points, and to endeavor to 
assist her operations. Our bodies are so framed, as to have a constant 
tendency to expel or throw off whatever is injurious to health. This 
as generally done by urine, sweat, stool, expectoration, vomit, or some 
■®ther evacuation. 



116 OF FEVERS IN GENERAL. 

There is reason to believe, if the efforts of Nature, at the beginning 
of a fever, were duly attended to and promoted, it would seldom con- 
tinue long ; but when her attempts are neglected or counteracted, it is 
no wonder if the disease proves fatal. There are daily instances of 
persons who, after catching cold, have all the symptoms of a beginning 
fever,* but by keeping warm, drinking diluting liquors, bathing their 
feet in warm water, &c. the symptoms iu a few hours disappear, and 
the danger is prevented. When fevers of a putrid kind threaten} the 
best method of obviating their effects is by repeated vomits. 

Our design is not to emer into a critical inquiry into the nature and 
immediate causes of fevers, but to mark their most obvious s) mptoms, 
and to point out the proper treatment of the patient with respect to his 
diet, di ink. air, &c. in the different stages of the disease. In these ar- 
ticles the inclination of the patient will iu a great measure direct our 
conduct. 

Almost every person in a fever complains of great thirst, and calls 
out for drink, especially of a cooling nature. This at once points out 
the use of water, and other cooling liquors. What is so likely to abate 
the heat, attenuate the humours, remove spasms and obstructions, pro- 
mote perspiration, increase the quantity of urine, and in short produce 
ever} salutary effect in an ardent or inflammatory fever, as drinking 
plentifully of water, thin gruel, or any other weak liquor, of which 
water is the basis ? The necf esily of diluting liquors is pointed out by 
the dry tongue, the parched skin, and the burning heat, as well as by 
the unquenchable thirst of the patient. 

Many cooling liquors, which are extremely grateful to patients in a 
fever, may be prepared from fruits, as decoctions of tamarinds, apple 
tea, orange whey, and the like. Mucilaginous liquors might also be 
prepared from marsh- mallow roots, linseed, limetree buds, and other 
mild vegetables. These liquors, es-pecially when acidulated, are high- 
ly agreeable to the patient, and should never be denied him. 

At the beginning of a fever the patient generally complains of great 
lassitude or weariness, and has no inclination to move. This evidently 
shews- the propriety of keeping him easy, and if possible iu bed. Ly- 
ing in bed relaxes the spasms abates the violence of the circulation, 
and jrives nature an opportunity of exeiting all her force to overcome 
the disease. The bed alone would often remove a fever at the begin- 
ning; but when the patient struggles with the disease, instead of dri- 
ving it off, he only fix* s it the deeper, and renders it more dangerous. 
This observation is too often verified in travellers, who happen when 
on a journey to be seized with a fever. Their anxiety to get home in- 
duces them to travel with the fever upon them, which conduct seldom 
fails to reader it fatal. 

In fevers the mind as well as the body should be kept easy. Com- 
pany is seldom agreeable to the sick. Indeed eve»y thing that disturb* 
the imagination, increases the disease; for which rcasou every person 



OF FEFERS W GENERAL. 1 1 fr 

fn a fever ought to be kept perfectly quiet, and neither allowed to see 
nor hear any thing that may in the least affect or discompose his mitid. 

Though the patient in a fever has the greatest inclination for drink, 
yet he seldom has any appetite for solid food : hence the impropriety 
of urging him to take victuals is evident. Much solid food in a fever 
is every way hurtful. It oppresses nature, and instead of nourishing 
the patient, serves only to feed the disease — What food the patient 
takes should be in small quantity, light, and of easy digestion. It ought 
to be chiefly of the vegetable kind, as panada, roasted apples, gruels 
and such like. 

Poor people, when any of their family are taken ill, run directly to 
their rich neighbours for cordials, and pour wine, spirits, &c. into the 
patient, who perhaps never had been accustomed to taste such liquors 
when in health. If there be any degree of fever, this conduct must in- 
crease it, and if there be none, this is the ready way to raise one. Stuf- 
fing the patient with sweetmeats and other delicacies is likewise very 
pernicious. These are always harder to digest than common food, and 
cannot fail to hurt. 

Nothing is more desired by a patient in a fever than fresh air. It 
not only removes hi« anxiety, but cools the blood, revives the spirits, 
and proves every way beneficial. Many patients are in a manner sti- 
fled to death in fevers for want of fresh air; yet such is the unaccounta- 
ble infatuation of most people, that the moment they think a person in 
a fever, they imagine he should be kept in a close chamber, into which 
not one particle of fresh air must be admitted. Instead of this, there 
ought to be a constant stream of fresh air into a sick person's chamber, 
so as to keep it moderately cool. Indeed its degree of warmth ought 
never to be greater than is agreeable to one in perfect health. 

Nothing spoils the air of a sick person's chamber or hurts the pa- 
tient more, than a number of people breathing in it. When the blood 
is inflamed, or the humours in a putrid state, air that has been breath- 
ed repeatedly will greatly increase the disease. Such air not only lo- 
ses its spring, and becomes unfit for the purpose of respiration, but ac- 
quires a noxious quality, which renders it in a manner poisonous to the 
sick. 

In fevers, when the patient's spirits are low and depressed, he is not 
ouly to be supported with cordials, but every method should be taken 
to cheer and comfort his mind. Many, fiom a mistaken zeal, when 
they think a person in danger, instead of solacing his mind with the 
hopes and consolations of religion, fright him with the views of hell and 
damnation. It would be unsuitable here to dwell upon the improprie- 
ty and dangerous consequences of this conduct ; it often hurts the body, 
and there is reason to believe seldom benefits the soul. 

Among common people, the very name of a fever generally suggests 
the necessity of bleeding* This notion seems to have taken its rise 
from most fevers ia this country having been formerly of au inflamma- 



118 OF FEVERS IN GENERAL. 

tory nature; but true inflammatory fevers are oow seldom to be met 
with. Sedentary occupations, and a different manner of living, have 
so changed the state of diseases in Britain, that there is now hardly one 
fever in ten where the lancet is uecessary. In most low, nervous, and 
putrid fevers, which are now so common, bleeding is really hurtful, as 
it weakens the patient, sinks his spirits, Arc. We would recommend 
this general rule, never to bleed at the beginning of a fever, unless there 
be evident signs of inflammation. Bleedir.g is au excellent medicAe 
when necessary, but should never be wantonly performed. 

It is likewise a common notion, that sweating is always necessary in 
the beginning of a fever. When the fever proceeds from an obstructed 
perspiration, this notion is not ill-founded. If the patient only lies in 
bed, bathes his feet and tegs in warm water, and drinks freely of warm 
vater-gruel, or any other weak diluting liquor, he will seldom fail to 
perspire freely. The warmth of the bed, and the diluting drink, will 
relax the universal spasm, which generally affects the skin at the begin- 
ning of a fever; it will open the pores, and promote the perspiration, 
by means of which the fever may often be carried oft'. But instead of 
this, the common practice is to heap clothes upon the patient, and to 
give him things of a hot nature, as spirits, spiceries, &c. which fire his 
blood, increase the spasms, and render the disease more dangerous. 

In all fevers a proper attention should be paid to the patient's long- 
ings. These are the calls of Nature, and often point out what may be 
of real use. Patients are not iudeert to be indulged in every thing that 
the sickly appetite may crave; but it is generally right to let them 
have a little of what they eagerly desire, though it may not seem alto- 
gether proper. What the patient longs for, his stomach will generally 
digest ; and such things have sometimes a very happy effect. 

Wheu a patient is recovering from a fever, great care is necessary 
to prevent a relapse. Many persons, by too soon imagining themselves 
well, have lost their lives, or contracted other diseases of an obstinate 
nature. As the body after a fever is weak and delicate, it is necessa- 
ry to guard against catching cold. Moderate exercise in the open air 
will be of use, but great fatigue is by all means to be avoided ; agree- 
able compauy will also have a good effect. The diet must be light but 
nourishing. It should be taken frequently, but in small quantities. It 
Is daDgerous, at such a time, to eat as much as the stomach may crave. 



OF INTERMITTING FEVERS, OR AGUES. 11» 

CHAPTER XIV. 

OF INTERMITTING FEVERS, OR AGUES. 



INTERMITTING fevers afford the best opportunity both of ob- 
serving the nature of a fever, and also the effects of medicine. Nd 
person can be at a loss to distinguish an intermitting fever from any 
other, and the proper medicine for it is now almost universally known. 

The several kinds of intermitting fevers take their names from the 
period in which the fit returns, as quotidian, tertian, quartan, &c. 

CAUSES. — 'Agues are occasioned by effluvia from putrid stagna- 
ting water. This is evident from their abounding in rainy seasons, and 
being most frequent in countries where the soil is marshy, as in Hot* 
land, the fens of Cambridgeshire, the Hundreds of Essex, &c. This 
disease may also be occasioned by eating too much stone fruit, by a 
poor watery diet, damp houses, evening dews, laying upon the damp 
ground, watching, fatigue, depressing passions, and the like. When 
the inhabitants of a high country remove to a low one, they are gene- 
rally seized with intermitting levers, and to such the disease is most apt 
to prove fatal. In a word, whatever relaxes the solids, diminishes the 
perspiration, or obstructs the circulation in the capillary or small ves» 
sels, disposes the body to agues. 

SYMPTOMS. — An intermitting fever generally begins with a pain 
of the head and loins, weariness of the limbs, coldness of the extremities, 
stretching, yawning, with sometimes great sickness and vomiting; to 
which succeed shivering and violent shaking. Afterwards the skin 
becomes moist, and a profuse sweat breaks out, which generally termi- 
nates the fit or paroxysm. Sometimes indeed the disease comes on sud- 
denly, when the person thinks himself in perfect health; but it is more 
commonly preceded by listlessness,'loss of appetite, and the symptoms 
mentioned above. 

REGIMEN. — While the fit continues, the patient ought to drink 
freely of water-gruel, orange whey, weak camomile tea ; or, if his spi- 
I'iis be low, small wine-whey, sharpened with the juke of lemon. All 
bb drink should be warm, as that will assist in bringing on the sweat, 
and .consequently shorten the paroxysm.* 

* Dr. Lvnd says, that twenty or twenty-five drops of laudanum put 
into a cup of the patient's drink, and given about half an hour after 
the commencement of the hot fit, promotes the sweat, shortens the fit, 
■relieves the head, and tends greatly to remove the disease. 



120 OF INTERMITTING FEVERS, OR JGUES. 

Between the paroxysms the patieut must be supported with food that 
is nourishing, but light and easy of digestion, as veal or chicken broths, 
sago, gruel with a little wine, light puddings, and such like. His drink 
may be small negus, acidulated with the juice of lemons or oranges, 
and sometimes a little weak punch. He may likewise drink infusions 
of bitter herbs, as camomile, wormwood, or water- tresoil, and may now 
and then take a glass of small wine, in which gentian root, centuary, 
or some other bitter has been infused. 

As the chief intentions of cure in au ague are to brace the solids, and 
promote perspiration, the patient ought to take as much exercise be- 
tween the fits as he can bear. If he be able to go abroad, riding on 
horseback, or in a carriage, will be ©f great service. But if he can- 
not bear that kind of exercise, he ought to take such as his strength 
will permit. Nothing tends more to prolong an intermitting fever, than 
indulging a lazy indolent disposition. 

Intermitting fevers, under a proper regimen, will often go off without 
medicine : and when the disease is mild, in an open and dry country, 
there is seldom any danger from allowing it to take its course ; but 
■when the patient's strength seems to decline, or the paroxysms are so 
violent that his life is in danger, medicine ought immediately to be ad- 
ministered. This however should never be done till the disease be 
properly formed, that is to say, till the patient has had several fits of 
shaking and sweating. 

MEDICINE. — The first thing to be done in the cure of an inter- 
mitting fever, is to cleanse the stomach and bowels. This not only 
renders the application of other medicines more safe, but likewise more 
efficacious. In this disease, the stomach is generally loaded with cold 
viscid phlegm, and frequently great quantities of bile are discharged 
by vomit; which plainly points out the necessity of evacuations. 
Vomits are therefore to be administered before the patient takes any 
other medicine. A. dose of ipecacuanha will generally answer this 
purpose very well. A scruple or hall a dram of the powder will be 
sufficient for an adult, and for a younger person the dose must be less 
in proportion. After the vomit bt gins to operate, the patient ought to 
drink plentifully of weak camomile tea. The vomit should be taken 
two or three hours before the return of the fit, and may be repeated at 
the distance of two or three days. Yomits not only cleanse the stom- 
ach, but increase the perspiration, and all the other secretions, which 
render them of such importance, that they often cure intermitting fe- 
vers, without the assistance of any other medicine. 

Purging medicines are likewise useful and often necessary in inter- 
mitting fevers. A smart purge has been known to cure an obstinate 
ague, after the Peruvian bark and other medicines had been used in 
vain. Vomits however are more suitable in this disease, and 'render 
purging less necessary $ but if the patient be afraid to take a vomit, he 



OF IN PERMITTING FEVERS, OR AGUES. 121 

ought in this case to cleanse the bowels by a dose or two of Glauber's 
salt, jalap, or rhubarb. 

Bleeding may sometimes be proper at the beginning of an intermit- 
ting fever, when excessive heat, a delirium, &c. give reason to suspect 
an inflammation ; but as the blood is seldom in an inflammatory state 
in intermitting fevers, this operation is rarely necessary. When fre- 
quently repeated, it tends to prolong this disease. 

After proper evacuations the patient may safely use the Peruvian 
bark, which may be taken in any way that is most agreeable to him. 
T"fo preparation of the bark seems to answer better than the most sim- 
ple form in which it can be given, viz. in powder. 

Two ounces of the best Peruvian bark, finely powdered, may be di- 
vided into twenty-four doses. These may either be made into bolusses 
as they are used, with a little syrup of lemon, or mixed in a glass of 
red wine, a cup of camomile tea, water gruel, or any other drink that 
is more agreeable to the patient.* 

la an ague which returns every day, one of the above doses may be 
taken every two hours during the interval of the fits. By this method 
the patient will be able to take five or six doses between each parox- 
ysm. In a tertian or third day ague it will be sufficient to take a dose 
every third hour during the interval, and in a quartan every fourth. 
If the patient cannot take so large a dose of the bark, he may divide 
each of the powders into two parts, and take one every hour, &c. Foe 
a young person a smaller quantity of this medicine will be sufficient, 
and the dose must be adapted to the age, constitution and violence of the 
sytnptcms.f 

The above quantity of bark will frequently cure an ague ; the pa- 
tient, however, ought not to leave off taking the medicine as soon as the 
paroxysms are stopped, but should continue to use it till there is rea- 
son to believe the disease is entirely overcome. Most of the failures 
in the cure of this disease are owing to patients not continuing to use the 

# It has lately been observed, that the red bark is more powerful 
than that which has for some time been in common use. Its superior 
efficacy seems to arise from its being of a more perfect growth thauthe 
quill bark, and consequently more fully impregnated with the medical 
properties of the plant. 

f In intermitting fevers of an obstinate nature, I have found it ne- 
cessary to throw in the bark much faster. Indeed the benefits arising 
from this medicine depend chiefly upon a large quantity of it being 
administered in a short time — Several ounces of bark given in a few 
days will do more than as many pounds taken in the course of some 
weeks. When this medicine is intended either to stop a mortification, 
or cure an obstinate ague, it ought to be thrown in as fast as the stomach 
can possibly bear it. Inattention to this circumstance has hurt the 
reputation of one of the best medicines of which we dre in possession. 
16 



152 OF INTERMITTING FEVERS, OR AGUES. 

medicine long enough. They are generally directed to take it till the 
fits are stopped, then to leave it off, and begin again at some distance 
of time; by which means the disease gathers strength and often re- 
turns with as much viofeuce as before. A relapse may always be 
prevented by the patient's continuing to take doses of the medicine for 
some time after the symptoms disappear. This is both the most safe 
and effectual method of cure. 

An ounce of gentian root, calamus aromaticus, and orange peel, of 
each half an ounce, with three or four handsful of eamomile-flowers, 
and an handful of coriander- seed, all bruised together in a mortar, may 
be used in form of infusion or tea. About half an handful of these in- 
gredients may be put into a tea-pot, and an English pint of boiliDg wa- 
ter poured on them. A cup of this infusion drank three or four times 
a day will greatly promote the cure. Such patients as cannot drink 
the water infusion, may put two handsful of the same ingredients into a 
bottle of white Avine, and take a glass of it twice or thrice a day. If 
patieuts drink freely of the above, or any other proper iufusion of bit- 
ters, a smaller quantity of bark than is generally used will be sufficient 
to cure an ague.* 

Those who cannot swallow the bark in substance, may take it in de- 
coction or infusion. An ounce of bark in powder may be infused in a 
bottle of w hite wine for four or five days, frequently shaking the bottle, 
afterwards let the powder subside, and pour off the clear liquor. A 
wine glass may be drauk three or four times a day, or oftener, as there 
is occasion. If a decoction be more agreeable, an ounce of the bark, 
and two drams of snake-root bruised, with an equal quantity of salt of 
■wormwood, may be boiled in a quart of water, to an English pint. To 
the strained liquors may be added an equal quantity of red wine, and 
a glass of it taken frequently. 

In obstinate agues, the bark will be foand much more efficacious 
when ^sifted by brandy, or other warm cordials, than taken alone. 
This J have had frequently occasion to observe in a country where 
intermittent fevers were endernkal. The bark seldom succeeded un- 
less assisted by snake root, ginger, canella, alba, or some other warm 
aromatic. Al'hen the fits are frequent and violent, in which case the 

* There is reason to believe, that sundry of our own plants or barks, 
which are very bitter and astringent, would succeed in the cure of in- 
termittent fevers, especially when assisted by aromatics. But as the 
Peruvian bark has been long approved in the cureoi this disease, and 
is now to be obtained at a very reasonable rale, it is of less import- 
ance to search after new medicines. We cannot however omit taking 
notice, that the Peruvian bark is very often adulterated, and that it re- 
quires considerable hkill to distinguish between the geuuine and tli« 
false. This ought to make people very cautious of whom they \ 
thas>eit. 



OF INTERMITTING FEVERS, OR AGUES. 123 

fever often approaches towards an inflammatory nature, it will be safer 
to keep out the aromatics, and to add salt of tartar in their stead. But 
in an obstinate tertian or quartan, in the end of autumn or beginning o f 
winter, warm and cordial medicines are absolutely necessary.* 

As autumnal and winter agues generally prove much more obstinate 
than those which attack the patient in spring or summer, it will be ne- 
cessary to continue the use of medicines longer in the former than in 
the latter. A person who is seized with an intermitting lever in the 
beginning of winter, ought frequently, if the season proves rainy, to 
take a little medicine, although the disease may seem to be cured, to 
prevent a relapse, till the return of the warm season. He ought like- 
wise to take care not to be much abroad in wet weather, especially in 
cold easterly winds. 

When agues are not properly cured, they often degenerate into ob- 
stinate chronical diseases, as the dropsy, jaundice, &e. For this rea- 
son all possible care should be taken to have them radically cured, be- 
fore the constitution has been too much weakened. 

Though nothing is more rational than the method of treating inter- 
mitting fevers, yet by some strange infatuation, more charms and whim- 
sical remedies are daily used for removing this than any other disease. 
There is hardly an old woman who is not in possession of a nostrum for 
stopping an ague^ and it is amazing with what readiness their preten- 
sions are believed. Those in distress eagerly grasp at any thing that 
promises sudden relief; but the shortest way is not always the best in 
the treatment of diseases. The only method to obtain a safe and last- 
ing cure, is gradually to assist Nature in removing the cause of the dis- 
order. 

Some indeed try bold, or rather fool-hardy experiments to cure 
agues, as drinking great quantities of strong liquors, jumping into a river, 
taking arsenic, &c These may sometimes have the desired eflect, but 
must always be attended with danger.f When there is any degree of 
inflammation, or the least tendency to it, such experiments may prove 
fatal. The only patient whom I remember to have lost in an intermit- 
ting fever, evidently killed himself by drinking strong liquor, which 
some person had persuaded him would prove an infallible remedy. 

* In obstinate agues, when the patient is old, the habit phlegmatic, 
the season rainy, the situation damp, or the like, it will be necessary 
to mix with two ounces of the bark, half an ounce of Virginian snake- 
root, and a quarter of an ounce of ginger, or seme other warm aromat- 
ic ; but when the symptoms are of an inflammatory nature, half an 
ounce of salt of wormwood or salt of tartar may be added to the above 
quantity of bark. 

t Arsenic has of late been recommended as an infallible remedy in the 
ague ; but I would advise that it should be used only under the eye 
<*f a physician. 



124 OF INTER1IITTIXG FEVER'S, OR AGUES. 

Many dirty things are extolled for the cure of intermitting fevers, as 
spiders, cobwebs, snuffings of candles, <Lc Though these may some- 
times succeed, yet their very uastiness is sufficient to set them aside, 
especially when cleanly medicines will answer the purpose better. The 
©cly medicine that can be depended upon for thoroughly curing an in- 
termitting fever, is the Peruvian bark. It may alwaj s be used with 
safety : and I can honestly declare, that in all ray practice I never 
knew it to tail, -when combined with the medicines mentioned above, 
and duly persisted in. 

Where agues are endemical, even children aTe often afflicted with 
that disease. Such patients are very difficult to cure, as they can sel- 
dom be prevailed upon to take the bark, or any other disagreeable 
medicine. Oue method of rendering this medicine more palatable, is 
to make it into a mixture with distilled waters and syrup, and after- 
wards to give it an agreeable sharpness with the elixir or spirit ot vit- 
riol. This both improvts the medicine, acd takes off the nanseous 
state. In cases where the bark cannot be administered, the saline mix- 
ture may be given with advantage to children. 

Wine-whey is a very proper drink for a child in an ague; to half an 
English pint of which may be put a tea spoooml of the spirit of hart- 
shorn. Exercise is likewise of considerable service; and when the dis- 
ease proves too obstinate, the child ought, if possible, to be removed to 
a warm dry air. The food ought to be nourishing, and sometimes a 
little generous wine should be allowed. 

To" children, and such as cannot swallow the bark, or when the 
stomach will not bear it, it may be given by clyster. Half an ounce of 
the extract of bark, dissolved in four ounces of warm water, with the 
addition of half an ounce ef sweet oil, and six or eight drop-, of lauda- 
num, is the form recommended by Dr. Lind for an adult,and this tobe re- 
peated every fourth hour, or ofte.ner, as the occasion shall require. For 
children the quantity of extract and laudanum must be proporticnably 
lessened. Childrea'hrve been cured of agius by making them wear a 
wai^coat with powdered baik quilted between the folds of it; by 
bathing them frequently in a strong decoction of the bark, and by rub- 
bing the spine with strong spirits, or with a mixture of equal parts of 
laudanum and the saponaceous liniment. ' _ 

We have been the more full upon this disease, because it is very 
common, and because few patients in an ague apply to physicians un- 
less in extrcmeties. There are, however, many c?.ses in which the 
disease is very irregular, being complicated with oth^r diseases, or at- 
tended with symptoms which are both very dangerous and very diffi- 
cult to understand. All these we have purposely passed over, as they 
would only bewilder the generality of readers. When the disease is 
very irregular, or the symptoms dangerous, the patient ought immedi- 
ately to apply to a physician, and strictly to follow his advice. 



OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. 125 

To prevent agues, people must endeavour to avoid their causes. 
These have been already pointed out in the beginning of this section : 
we shall therefore only add one preventative medicine, which may be 
of use to such as are obliged to live in low marshy countries, or who 
are liable to frequent attacks of this disease. 

Take an ounce of the best Peruvian bark; Virginian snake-root, 
and orange peel, of each half an ounce; bruise them all together, and 
infuse for five or six days in a bottle of brandy, Holland gin, or any 
good spirit ; afterwards pour off the clear liquor, and take a wine glass 
of it twice or thrice a day. This indeed is recommending a dram ; 
but the bitter ingredients in a great measure take off the ill effects of 
the spirit. Those who do not chuse it in brandy, may infuse it in wine; 
and such as can bring themselves to chew the bark, will find that meth- 
od succeed very well. Gentian root or calamus aromaticus, maty also 
be chewed by turns for the purpose. All bitters seem to be antidotes 
to agues, especially those that are warm and astringent. 



CHAPTER XV. 



OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. 



THIS fever is denominated acute, ardent, or inflammatory. It. 
most commonly attacks the young, or persons about the prime 
and vigour of life, especially such as live high, abound with blood, 
and whose fibres are strong and elastic. It seizes people at all sea- 
sons of the year ; but is most frequent in the spring and beginning of 
summer. 

CAUSES. — An ardent fever may be occasioned by any thing that 
overheats the body, or produces plethora, as violent exercise, sleeping 
in the sun, drinking strong liquors, eating spiceries ; a full diet, with 
little exercise, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by whatever ob- 
structs the perspiration, as lying on the damp ground, drinking cold li- 
quor when the body is hot, night watching, or the like. 

SYMPTOMS. — A rigour or chilliness generally ushers in this fe- 
ver, which is soon succeeded by great heat, a frequent and full pulse, 
pain of the head, dry skin, redness of the eyes, a florid countenance, 
pains in the back, loins, &c. To these succeed difficulty of breathing, 
sickness, with an inclination to vomit. The patient complains of great 



!2fr OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. 

thirst, has do appetite for solid food, is restless, and his tongue generally 
appears black and rough. 

A delirium, excessive restlessness, great oppression of the breast, 
with laborious respiration, starting of the tendous, hickup, cold clam- 
my sweats, an involuntary discharge of urine, are very dangerous 
symptoms. 

As this disease is always attended with danger, the best medical as- 
sistance ought to be procured as scon as possible. A physician may be 
of use at the beginning, but his skill is often of no avail afterwards. 
Nothing can be more unaccountable than the conduct of those who have 
it iu their power, at the beginning of a fever, to procure the best medi- 
cal assistance, yet put it off till things come to an extremity. When 
the disease, by delay or Avrong treatment, has become incurable, and 
has exhausted the strength of the patient, it is in vain to hope for relief 
from medicine. Physicians may indeed assist Nature ; but their at- 
tempts must ever prove fruitless, when she is no longer able to co-ope- 
rate with their endeavours. 

REGIMEN. — From the symptoms of this disease, it is evident, 
that the blood and other humours require to be attenuated ; that the 
perspiratiou, urine, saliva, and all the other secretions, are in too small 
quantity; that the vessels are rigid, and the heat of the whole body too 
great : all these clearly point out the necessity of a regimen calculated 
to dilute the blood, correct the acrimony of the humours, allay the ex- 
cessive heat, remove the spasmodic structure of the vessels, and pro- 
mote the secretions. 

These important purposes may be greatly promoted by drinking plen- 
tifully of diluting liquors ; as water-gruel, or oatmeal-tea, clear whey, 
barley-water, balm-tea, apple-tea, &c. These may be sharpened with 
juice of oraDge, jelly of currants, raspberries, and such like: orange- 
whey is likewise an excellent cooling drink. It is made by boiling 
among milk and water a bitter orange sliced, till the curd separates. 
If no orange can be had, a lemon, a little cream of tartar, or a few 
spoonsful of vinegar, will have the same effect. — Two or three spoons- 
ful of white wine may occasionally be added to the liquor when boiling. 

If the patient be costive, an ounce of tamarinds, with two ounces of 
stoned raisins of the sun, and a couple of figs, may be boiled in three 
English pints of water to a quart. This makes a very pleasant drink, 
nnd may be used at discretion. The common pectoral decoction is 
likewise a very proper drink in this disease. A tea cup full of it may 
be taken every two hours, or ofteuer, if the patient's heat and thirst be 
very great. 

The above liquids must all be drank a little warm. They may be 
used in smaller quantities at the beginning of a fever, but more freely 
afterwards, in order to assist in carrying off the disease by promoting 
the different excretions. We have mentioned a variety of drinks, that 
the patient may have it in his power to choose those which are most 



OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. 127 

agreeable, and that, when tired of one, he may have recourse to another. 
The patient's diet must be very spare and light. All sorts of flesh- 
meats and even chicken broths, are to be avoided. He may be allow- 
ed groat-gruel, panado, or light bread boiled in water ; to which may 
be added a few grains of common salt, and a little sugar, which will 
render it more palatable. He may eat roasted apples with a little su- 
gar, toasted bread with jelly of currants, boiled prunes, &c. 

It will greatly relieve the patient, especially in an hot season, to have 
fresh air frequently let into his chamber. This, however, must always 
be done in such a manner as not to endanger his catching cold. 

It is too common in fevers to load the patient with bed-clothes, under 
the pretence of making him sweat, or defending him from the cold. 
This custom has many ill effects. It increases the heat of the body, 
fatigues the patient, and retards, instead of promoting the perspiration. 
Sitting upright in bed, if the patient is able to bear it, will often have 
a good effect. It relieves the head, by retarding the motion of the 
blood to the brain. But this posture ought never to be continued too 
long : and if the patient is inclined to sweat, it will be more safe to let 
him lie, only raising his head a little with pillows. 

Sprinkling the chamber with vinegar, juice of lemon, or vinegar and 
rose-water, with a little nitre dissolved in it, will greatly refresh the 
patient. This ought to be done frequently, especially if the weather 
is hot. 

The patient's mouth should be often washed with a mixture of wa- 
ter and honey, to which a little vinegar may be added, or with a de- 
coction of figs in barley-water. His feet and hands ought likewise fre- 
quently to be bathed in hike- warm water; especially if the head is af- 
fected. 

The patient should be kept as quiet and easy as possible. Compa- 
ny, noise, and every thing that disturbs the mind, is hurtful. — Even 
too much light, or any thing that affects the senses, ought to be avoid- 
ed. His attendants should be few as possible, and they ought not to 
be too often changed. His inclinations ought rather to be soothed than 
contradicted ; even the promise of what he craves will often satisfy him 
as much as its reality. 

MEDICINE,— In this and all other fevers, attended with 'a hard, 
full, quick pulse, bleeding is of the greatest importance. This opera- 
tion ought always to be performed as soon as the symptoms of ag inflam- 
matory fever appear. The quantity of blood to be taken away, how- 
ever, must be in proportion to the strength of the patient and the vio- 
lence of the disease. If after the first bleeding the fever should in- 
crease, and the pulse become more frequent and hard, there will be a 
necessity for repeating it a second, and perhaps a third, or even a fourth 
time, which may be done at the distance of twelve, eighteen, or twenty- 
four hours from each other, as the symptoms require. If the pulse coq- 



128 OF AN ACUTE CONTINUAL FEVER. 

tioues soft, aud the patient is tolerably easy after the first bleeding, it 
ought not to be repeated 

If the heat and fever be very great, forty or fifty drops of the dul* 
cified or sweet spirit of nitre may be made into a draught, with an ounce 
of rose water, two ounces of common water, and half an ounce of sim- 
ple syrup, or a bit of loaf-sugar. This draught may be given to the 
patient every three or four hours while the fever is violent, afterwards 
once in five or six hours will be sufficient. 

If the patient be afflicted with reaching, or an inclination to vomit, 
it will be right to assist Nature's attempts, by giving him weak camo- 
mile tea, or hike-warm water to drink. 

If the body is bound, a clyster of milk and water, with a little salt, 
and a spoonful of sweet oil or fresh butter in it, ought daily to be ad- 
ministered. Should this not have the desired effect, a tea spoonful of 
magnesia alba, or cream of tartar, maybe frequently put into his drink. 
He may likewise eat tamarinds, boiled prunes, roasted apples, aud the 
like. 

If about the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth day, the pulse becomes more 
solt, the tongue moister, and the urine begins to let fall a reddish sedi- 
ment, there is reason to expect a favorable issue to the disease. But 
if, instead of these symptoms, the patient's spirits grow languid, his 
pulse sinks, and his breathing becomes difficult : with a stupor, trem- 
bling of the nerves, starting of the tendons, &c, there is reason to fear 
that the consequences will be fated. Tn this case blistering plasters 
must be applied to the head, ancles, inside of the legs or thighs, as 
there may be occasion; poultices of wheat-bread, mustard, and vine- 
gar, may likewise be applied to the soles of the feet, and the patient 
must be supported with cordials, as strong wine-whey, negus, sago-gru- 
el, with wine in it, and such like. 

A proper regimen is not only necessary during the fever, but like- 
wise after the patient begins to recover. By neglecting this, many 
relapse, or fall into other diseases, and continue valetudinary for life. 
Though the body is weak after a fever, yet the diet for some time 
ought to be rather light than of too nourishing a nature. Too much 
food, drink, exercise, company, &c. are carefully to be avoided. The 
mind ought likewise to be kept easy, and the patient should not at- 
tempt to pursue study, or any business that requires intense thinking. 

If the digestion is bad, or the patient is seized at times with feverish 
heats, an infusion of Peruvian bark in cold water will be of use. It 
will strengthen the stomach, and help to subdue the remains of the 
fever. 

Wheu the patient's strength is pretty well recovered, he ought to 
take some gentie laxative. An ounce of tamarinds and a dram of sera 
may be boiled for a few minutes in au English pint of water, rnd an 
ounce of manna dissolved in the decoction; afterwards it may be 



OF THE PLEURISY. 129 

atrained, and a tea-cupftill drank every hour till it operates. This 
dose may be repeated twice or thrice, five or six days intervening. 

Those who follow laborious employments ought not to return too soon 
to their labour after a fever, but should keep easy till their strength 
and spirits are sufficiently recruited. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

OF THE PLEURISY. 



THE true pleurisy is an inflammation of that membrane called the 
pleura, which lines the inside of the breast. It is distinguished 
into the moist and dry. In the former, the patient spits freely ; in the 
latter, little or none at all. There is likewise a species of this disease, 
which is called the spurious, or bastard pleurisy, in which the pain is 
iHore external, and chiefly affects the muscles between the ribs. The 
pleurisy prevails among labouring people, especially such as work 
without doors, aud are of a sanguine constitution. It is most frequent 
in the spring season. 

CAUSES. — The pleurisy may be occasioned by whatever obstructs 
the perspiration; as cold northerly winds; drinking cold liquors when, 
the body is hot ; sleeping without doors on the damp ground ; wet 
clothes; plunging-xthe body into cold water or exposing it to the cold 
air, when covered with sweat, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by 
drinking strong liquors ; by the stoppage of the usual evacuations ; as 
old ulcers, issues, sweating of the feet or hands, &c. the sudden stri- 
king in of an eruption, as the itch, the measles, or the small-pox. Those 
who have been accustomed to bleed at a certain season of the year are 
apt, if they neglect it, to be seized with a pleurisy. Keeping the body 
too warm by means of fire, clothes, &c. renders it more liable to this 
difease. A pleurisy may likewise be occasioned by violent exercise, 
as running, wrestling, leaping, or by supporting great weight, blows on 
the breast, &c. A bad conformation of the body renders persons more 
liable to this disease, as a narrow chest, a straitness of the arteries of 
the pleura, &c. 

SYMPTOMS — This, like most other fevers, generally begins with 
chilliness and shivering, which are followed by heat, thirst, and rest- 
lessness. To these succeeds a violent pricking pain in one of the sides 
among the ribs. Sometimes the pain extends towards the back- bone, 
sometimes towards the foreuart of the breast, and at other times to* 
17 



33Q OF THE PLEURISY. 

wards the shoulder blades. The pain is generally most violent whe» 
the patient draws his bieath. 

The pulse in this disease is commonly quick and hard, the urine 
high coloured ; and if blood be let, it is covered with a tough crust, 
or buffy coat. The patient's spittle is at first thin, but afterwards it 
becomes grosser, and is ofteu streaked with blood. 

REGIMEN. — Nature generally endeavours to carry off this dis- 
ease by a critical discharge of blood from some part of the body, by 
expectoration, sweat, loose stools, thick urine or the like. We ought, 
therefore, to second her intentions by lessening the force of the circula- 
tion, relaxiug the vessels, diluting the humours, and promoting expec- 
toration 

For these purposes the diet, as in the former disease, ought to be 
cool, slender, and diluting. The patient must avoid all food that is 
viscid, hard of digestion, or thnt affords much nourishment ; as flesh, 
butter, cheese, eggs, milk, and also every thing that is of a heating na- 
ture- His drink may be whey, or an infusion of pectoral and balsam- 
ic vegetables. 

Barley water, with a little honey or jelly of currants mixed with it, 
is likewise a very proper drink in this disease. It is made by boiling 
an ounce of pearl barley in three pints, of water to two, which must af- 
terwards be strained. The decoction of figs, raisins, and barley, re- 
commended in the preceding disease, is here likewise very proper. 
These and other diluting liquors are not to be drank in large quanti- 
ties at a time; but the patieut ought to keep continually sipping them, 
so as to render his mouth and throat always moist. All his food and 
drink should be taken a little warm. 

The patient should be kept quiet, cool, and every way easy, as di- 
rected under the foregoing disease. His feet and hands ought daily to 
be bathed in luke-warm water ; and he may sometimes sit up in bed 
for a short space, in order to relieve his head. 

MEDICINE. — Almost every person knows, when a fever is atten- 
ded with a violent pain of the side, and a quick hard pulse, that bleed- 
ing is necessary. When these symptoms come on, the sooner this op- 
eration is performed the better; and the quantity at first must be pret- 
ty large, provided the patient is able to bear it. A large quantity of 
blood let at once, in the beginniug of a pleurisy, has a much better 
effect than repealed small bleediugs. A mau may lose twelve or four- 
teen ounces of blood as goon as it is certainly known that he is seized 
with a pleurisy. For a younger person, or one of a delicate constitu- 
tion, the quantity must be less. 

If, after the first bleeding, the stitch with the other violent symptoms 
should still continue, it will be necessary, at the distance of twelve or 
eighteen hours, to let eight or nine ounces more. If the symptoms do 
oot then abate, and the blood shews a strong buffy coat, a third or even 
8 fourth bleeding may be requisite. If the pain of the side abates, the 



OP THE PtEURISf. 13J 

|*ulse becomes softer, or the patient begins to spit freely, bleeding ought 
liot to be repeated. This operation is seldom necessary after the third 
or fourth day of the fever, aod ought not theu to be performed, unless ia 
the most urgent circumstances. 

The blood may be many ways attenuated without bleeding. — There 
are likewise many things that may be done to ease the pain of the side 
without this operation, as fomenting, blistering, &c Fomentations may 
be made by boiling a handful of the flowers of elder, Camomile, and 
common mallows, or any other soft vegetable in a proper quantity of 
water. The herbs may be either put into a flannel bag, and applied 
warm to the side, or flannels may be dipped in the decoction, afterwards 
wrung out and applied to the part affected, with as much warmth as 
the patient can easily bear. As the clothes grow cool, they must be 
changed, and great care taken that the patient do noi catch cold. A 
bladder may be filled with warm milk and water, and applied to the 
side, if the above method of fomenting be found inconvenient. Fomen- 
tations not only ease the pain, but relax the vessels, and prevent the 
stagnation of the blood and other humours. The side may likewise be 
frequently rubbed with a little of the volatile liniment. 

Topical bleeding has often a very good effect in this disease. — It 
may either be performed by applying a number of leeches to the part 
affected, or by cupping, which is both a more certain and expeditious 
method than the other. 

Leaves of various kinds might likewise be applied to the patient's 
side with advantage. I have often seen great benefit from young cab- 
bage leaves applied warm to the side in a pleurisy. These not only re- 
lax the parts, but likewise draw off a little moisture, and may prevent 
the necessity of blistering plasters 5 which' however, when other things 
fail, must be applied. 

If the stitch continues after repeated bleedings, fomentations, &c. a 
blistering-plaster, must be applied over the part affected, and suffered 
to remain for two days* This not only procures a discharge from the 
side, but takes off the spasm, and by that means assists in removing the 
cause of the disease. To prevent a straoguary when the blistering-plas- 
ter is on, the patient may drink freely of the Arabic emulsion. 

If the patient is costive, a clyster of thin water-gruel, or of barley 
water, in which a handful of mallows, or any other emolient vegetable 
has been boiled, may be daily administered. This will not only empty 
the bowels, but have the effect of a warm fomentation applied to the 
inferior viscera, which will help to make a derivation from the breast* 

The expectoration may be prompted by sharp, oily, and mucilagin- 
ous medicines. For this purpose an ounce of the oxyrael, or the vine- 
gar of squills, may be added to six ounces of the pectoral decoction, and 
two table-spoonsful of it taken every two hours. 

Should the squill disagree with the stomach, the oily emulsion may 
fee administered ; or, in place of it, two ounces of the oil of sweet aim* 



132 OF THE pleurisy. 

onds, or oil of olives, and two ounces of syrup of violets may be mixed 
■with as much 6ugarcandy powdered, as will make au electuary of the 
consistence of honey. The patient may take a tea-spoonful of this fre- 
quently, when the cough is troublesome. Should oily medicines prove 
nauseous, which is sometimes the case, two table spoonsful of the solu- 
tion of gum ammoniac in barley water may be given three or four times 
a-day. 

If the patient does not perspire, but has a burning heat upon his skin, 
and passes very little water, some small doses of purified nitre and 
camphire will be of use. Two drams of the former may be rubbed 
"with five or six grains of the latter in a mortar, and the whole divided 
into six doses, one of which may be taken every five or six hours, in a 
little of the patient's ordinary driuk. 

We shall only mention one medicine more, which some reckon almost 
a specific in the pleurisy, tiis. the decoction of the seneka rattle snake- 
root. After bleeding and other evacuations have been premised, the 
patient may take two, three, or four table-spoonsful of this decoction, 
according as his stomach will bear it, three or four times a-riay. If it 
should occasion vomiting, two or three ounces of simple cinnamon-water 
may be mixed with the quantity of decoction here directed, or it may 
be taken in smaller doses. As this medicine promotes perspiration and 
urine, and likewise keeps the body easy, it may be of some service in 
a pleurisy, or any other inflammation of the breast. 

JSo one will imagine that these medicines are all to be Used at the 
same time. We have mentioned different things, on purpose that peo- 
ple may have it in their poAver to choose; and likewise, that when one 
cannot be obtained, they may make ute of another. Different medi- 
cines are no doubt necessary in the different periods of a disorder; and 
where one fails of success, or disagrees with the patient, it will be pro- 
per to try another. 

What is called the crisis or height of the fever, is sometimes attend- 
ed with very alarming symptoms, as difficulty of breathing, an irregu- 
lar pulse, convulsive motions, &c. These are apt to irighten the at- 
tendants, and induce them to do improper things, as bleeding the pa- 
tient, giving him strong stimulating medicines, or the like.— But they 
are only the struggles of Nature to overcome the disease, in which she 
ought to be assisted by plenty of diluting drink, which is then peculiar- 
ly necessary. If the patient's strength however be much exhausted by 
the disease, it will be necessary at this time to support him with fre- 
quent small draughts of wine- whey, negus, or the like. 

When the pain and fever are gone, it will be proper, after the pa- 
tient has recovered sufficif nt strength, to give him some gentle purges, 
as those directed towards the end of the acute continual fever. He 
ought likewise to use a light diet, of easy digestion, and his drink should 
be butter-milk, whey, and other thinjrs of a cleansing nature. 



OF A PERIPNEUMONY. 133 

Of the Bastard Pleurisy. 

That species of pleurisy which is called the bast ardor spurious, gen- 
erally goes off by keeping warm for a few days, drinking plenty of di- 
luting liquors, and observing a cooling regimen. 

It i6 known by a dry cough, a quick pulse, and a difficulty of. lying 
on the affected side, which last does not always happen in the true pleu- 
risy. Sometimes indeed this disease proves obstinate, and requires 
bleeding, with cupping, and scarifications of the part affected. These 
together with the use of nitrous and other cooling medicines, seldom 
fail to effect a cure. 

Of the Paraphrenias. 

The paraphrenias, or inflammation of the diaphragm, is so nearly con- 
nected with the pleurisy, and resembles it so much in the manner of 
treatment, that it is scarce necessary to consider it as a separate dis- 
ease. 

It is attended with a very acute fever, and an extreme pain in the 
part affected, which is generally augmented by coughing, sneezing, 
drawing in the breath, taking food, going to stool, making water, &c. 
Hence the patient breathes quick, and draws in his bowels to prevent 
the motion of the diaphragm; is restless, anxious, has a dry cough, a 
hickup, and often a delirium. A convulsive laugh, or rather a kind of 
involuntary grin, is no uncommon symptom of this disease. 

Every method must be taken to prevent a suppuration, as it is im* 
possible to save the patient's life when this happens. The regimen and 
medicine are in all respects the same as in the pleurisy. We shall on- 
ly add, that in this disease, emollient clysters are peculiarly useful, as 
they relax the bowels, and by that means make a derivation from the 
part affected. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



OF A PERIPNEUMONY, OR INFLAMMATION OF 
THE LUNGS. 

A S this disease affects an oTgan which is absolutely necessary to 
J_3_ life, it must always be attended with danger. Persons who 
abound with thick blood, whose fibres are tense and rigid, who feed 
upon gross aliment, and drink strong viscid liquors, are most liable to 
a peripneumony. It is generally fatal to those who have a flat breast, 



134 OP A PERIPNEUMONY. 

or narrow chest, and to such as are afflicted with an asthma, especial 
ly in the decline of life. Sometimes the inflammation reaches to one 
lobe of the lungs only, at other times the whole of the organ is affect- 
ed , in which case the disease can hardly fail to prove fata!. 

When the disease proceeds from a viscid pituitous matter obstruct- 
ing the vessels of the lungs, it is called a spurious or bastard per ipnew 
many When it arises from a thin acrid defluction on the lungs, it is 
denominated a catarrhal peripneumony . &c. 

CAUSES. — An inflammation of the lungs, is sometimes a primary 
disease, and sometimes it is the consequence of other diseases, as a 
quinsey, a pleurisy. &c. It proceeds from the same causes as the 
pleurisy, viz. an obstructed perspiration from cold, wet clothes, &c. or 
from an increased circulation of the blood by violent exercise, the use 
of spiceries, ardent spirits, and such like. The pleurisy and perip- 
Dicumony arc often complicated ; in which case the disease is called a 
plcuro peripneumony. 

SYMPTOMS, — Most of the symptoms of a pleurisy likewise at- 
tend an inflammation of the lungs; only in the latter the pulse is more 
soft, and the pain less acute ; but the difficulty of breathing, and op- 
press? rn of the breast, are generally greater. 

REGIMES. — As the regimen and medicine are in all respects the 
same in the true peripneumony as in the pleurisy, we shall not here 
repeat them, but refer the reader to the treatment of that disease. It 
may not however be improper to add, that the aliment ought to be 
more slender and thin in this than in any other inflammatory disease. 
The learned Dr. Arbuthnot asserts, that even common whey is suffi- 
cient to support the patient, and that decoctions of barley, and infu- 
sions of fennel roots in warm water with milk, are the most proper 
both for drink and nourishment. He likewise recommends the steam 
of warm water taken in by the breath, which serves as a kind of inter- 
nal fomentation, and helps to attenuate the impacted humours. If the 
patient has loose stools, but is not weakeued by them, they are not to be 
stopped, but rather promoted by the use of emolient clysters. 

It has already been observed, that the spurious or bastard peripneu- 
mony is occasioned by a viscid pituitous matter obstructing the vessels 
of the lungs. It commonly attacks the old, infirm, and phlegmatic, ia 
winter and wet seasons. 

The patient at the beginning is cold and hot by turns, has a small 
quick pulse, feels a sense of weight upon his breast, breathes with dif- 
ficulty, and sometimes complains of a pain and giddiness of his head. 
His urine is usually pale, and his colour very little changed. 

The diet, in this as well as in the true peripneumony, must be very 
slender, as weak broths, sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon, 
or such like. His drink may be thin water-gruel sweetened with hon- 
ey, or a decoction of the roots of fennel, liquorice, and quick grass* 



OF CONSUMPTIONS, 13.$ 

4.0 ounce of each of these may be boiled in three English piats of wa« 
jier to a quart, and sharpened with a little current jelly, or the like. 

Bleeding and purging are generally proper at the beginning of this 
disease ; but if the patient's spittle is pretty thick, or well concocted, 
neither of them are necessary, It will be sufficient to assist the expecto- 
ration by some of the sharp medicines recommended for that purpose iu 
the pleurisy, as the solution of gum-ammoniac with oxjmel of squills, 
&c. Blistering-plasters have generally a good effect, and ought to be 
applied pretty early. 

If the patient does not spit, he must be bled according as his strength 
will permit, and have a geritle purge administered. Afterwards his 
body may be kept open by clysters, and the expectoration promoted, 
by taking every four hours two table-spoonsful of the solution mention- 
ed above. 

When an inflammation^ of the breast does not yield to bleeding, blist- 
ering, and other evacuations, it commonly ends in a suppuration, which 
is more or less dangerous, according to the part where it is situated. 
When this happens in the pleura, it sometimes breaks outwardly, and 
the matter is discharged by the wound. 

When the suppuration happens within the substance or body of the 
lungs, the matter may be discharged by expectoration ; but if the mat- 
ter floats in the cavity of the breast, between the pleura aud the lungs, 
it can oflly be discharged by an incission made between the ribs. 

If the patient's strength does not return after the inflammation is to 
all appearance removed ; if his pulse continues quick though soft, his 
breathing difficult and oppressed ; if he has cold shiverings at times, 
his cheeks flushed, his lips dry; and if he complains of thirst, and want 
<jf appetite, there is reason to fear a suppuration, and that a phthisis or 
consumption of the lungs, will ensue. We shall therefore next pro- 
ceed to consider the proper treatment of that disease. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

OF CONSUMPTIONS. 

\ CONSUMPTION is a wasting or decay of the whole body 
jTjLfroin an ulcer, tubercles, or concretions of the lungs, an empye- 
ma, a nervous atrophy, or cachexy. 

Dr. Arbuthnot observes, that in his time consumptions made up above 
We-tepth pait of the bills of mortality in and about lioodon. There is. 



136 OF CONSUMPTIONS. 

As reason to believe they have rather increased since; and we know 
from experience, that they are not less fatal in some other towns of 
England than in London. 

Young persons, between the age of fifteen and thirty, of a slender 
make, long neck, high shoulders, and flat breasts, are most liable to 
this disease. 

Consumptions prevail more in England than in any other part of 
the world, owing perhaps to the great use of animal food and malt li- 
quors, the general application to sedentary employments, and the great 
quantity of pit coal which is there burnt ; to which we may add the 
perpetual changes in the atmosphere, or variableness of the weather. 

CAUSES. — It has already been observed that an inflammation of 
the breast often euds in an imposthume; consequently whatever dispo- 
ses people to this disease, must likewise be considered as a cause of 
consumption. 

Other diseases, by vitiating the habit, may likewise occasion con- 
sumptions ; as the scurvy, the scrophula, or king's evil, the venereal 
disease, the asthma, small-pox, measles, &c. 

As this disease is seldom cured, we shall endeavour the more par- 
ticularly to point out its causes, in order that people may be enabled 
to avoid it. These are 

Confined or unwholesome air. When this fluid is impregnated 

■with the fumes of metals or minerals, it proves extremely hurtful to the 
lungs, and often corrodes the tender vessels of that necessary organ. 

Violent passions, exertions, or affections of the mind ; as grief, 

disappointment, anxiety, or close application to the study of abstruse 
arts or sciences. 

Great evacuations ; as sweating, diarrhoeas, diabetes, excessive 

venery, the fluor albus, an over-discharge of the menstrual flux, giv- 
iog suck too long, &c. 

The sudden stoppage of customary evacuations ; as the bleed- 
ing piles, sweating of the feet, bleeding at the nose, the menses, issues, 
ulcers, or eruptions of any kind. 

Injuries done to the lungs, calculi, &c. I lately saw the symp- 
toms of the phthisis occasioned by a small bone sticking in the bronchia. 
It was afterwards vomited along with a considerable quantity of puru- 
lent matter, and the patient, by a proper regimen, and the use of the 
Peruvian bark, recovered. 

Making a sudden transition from a hot to a very cold climate, 

change of apparel, or whatever greatly lessens the perspiration. 

Frequent and excessive debaucheries. Late watching, and 

drinking strong liquors, which generally go together, can hardly fail to 
destroy the lungs. Hence the bon companim generally falls a sacri- 
fice to this disease. 

Infection. Consumptions are likewise caught by sleeping 

with the diseased ; for which rjwson this should be carefully avoided. 



.; OF CONSUMPTIONS. 137 

It cannot be of great benefit to the sick, and must hurt those in 
health, 

-Occupations in life. Those artificers who sit much, and are 

constantly leaning forward, or pressing upon the stomach aud breast, as 
cutlers, taylors, shoe-makers, seamstresses, &c. often die of consump- 
tions. They likewise prove fatal to singers, and all wno have occa- 
sion to make frequent and violent exertions of the lungs. 

Cold. More consumptive patients date the beginning of their 

disorders from wet feet, damp beds, night air, wet clothes, or catching 
cold after the body had been heated, than from all other causes. 

Sharp, saline, and aromatic aliments, which heat and inflame the 
blood, are likewise frequently the cause of consumptions. 

We shall only add, that this disease is often owing to an hereditary 
taint, or a scrophulous habit ; iu which case it is generally incurable. 

SYMPTOMS. — This disease generally begins with a dry cough, 
which often continues for some months. If a disposition to vomit after 
eating be excited by it, there is still greater reason to fear an approach- 
ing consumption. The patient complains of a more than usual degree 
of heat, a pain and oppression of the breast, especially after motion; 
his spittle is of a saltish taste, and sometimes mixed with blood. He is 
apt to be sad ; his appetite is bad, and his thirst great. There is gen- 
erally a quick, soft small pulse ; though sometimes the pulse is pretty 
full, and rather hard. These are the common symptoms of a begin- 
ning consumption. 

Afterwards the patient begins to spit a greenish, white or bloody 
matter. His body is extenuated by the hectic fever, and colliquative 
sweats, which mutually succeed one another, vis. the one towards night, 
and the other in the morning. A looseness, and an excessive discharge 
of urine, are often troublesome symptoms at this time, and greatly 
weaken the patienti There is a burning heat in the palms of the ha-ds, 
and the face generally flushes after eating ; the fingers become remark- 
ably small, the nails are bent inwards, and the hair falls off. 

At last the swelling of the feet and legs, the total loss of strength, 
the sinking of the eyes, the difficulty of swallowing, and the coldness of 
the extremities, shew the immediate approach of death, which however 
the patient seldom believes to be so near. Such is the usual progress 
of this fatal disease, which, if not early checked, commonly sets all 
medicines at defiance. 

REGIMEN. — On the first appearance of a consumption, if the pa- 
tient lives in a large town, or any place where the air is confined, he 
ought immediately to quit it, and make choice of a situation in the coun- 
try, where the air is pure and free. Here he must not remain inac- 
tive, but take every day as much exercise as he can bear. 

The best method of taking exercise is to ride on horseback, as this 
gives the body a great deal of motion without much fatigue. Such as 
cannot bear this kind of exercise, must make use of a carriage. A Jong 
18 






I3S OF CONSUMPTIONS. 

journey, as ft amuses the mind by a continual change of objects, i* 
greatly preferable to riding the same ground over and over. Care 
however must be taken to avoid catching cold from wet clothes, damp- 
bed?, or tlve like. The patient ought always to finish his ride in the 
morning, or at least before dinner; otherwise, it will ofteaer do more 
harm than good. 

It u piiy those who attend the sick seldom recommend riding in 
jtbie disease, till the patient is either unable to bear it, or the malady 
has become incurable. Patients are likewise apt to trifle with every 
thing that is in their power. They cannot see how oue of the common 
actions of life should prove a remedy in an obstinate disease, and there- 
fore they reject it, while they greedily hunt after relief from medicine, 
merely because they do not understand it. 

Those who have strength and courage to undertake a pretty long 
voyage, may expect great advantage from it. This, to my knowledge, 
has frequently cured a consumption after the patient was, to all appear- 
ance, far advanced in that disease, and where medicine had proved in- 
effectual. Hence it is reasonable to conclude, that if a voyage were un- 
dei taken in due time, it would seldom fail to perform a cure.* 

Such as try this method of cure ought to carry as much fresh pro- 
visions along with them as will serve for the whole time they are at sea. 
As milk is not easily obtained in this situation, they ought to live upou 
fruits, and the broth of chickens, or other young animals which can be 
kept alive on board. It is scareely necessary to add, that such voya- 
j^s should be undertaken, if possible in the mildest season, and that they 
ought to be towards a warmer climate.f 

Those who have not courage for a long voyage may travel into a 
mors southern climate, as the south of France, Spain, or Portugal; 
and if they find the air of these countries agree with them, they should 
continue there at least till their health be confirmed. 

.Next to proper air and exercise, we would recommend a due at- 
tention to diet. The patient should eat nothing that is either heating 
or hard of digestion, and his drink must be of a soft and cooling nature. 
All the diet ought to be calculated to lessen the acrimony of (he hu- 
mours, and to nourish and support the patient. For this purpose he 

* Two things chiefly operate to prevent the benefits which would 
arise from sailing. The one is, that physicians seldom order it till the 
disease is too far advanced; and the other is, that they seldom order a 
voyage of r sufficient length. A patient may receive no benefit, by 
crossing the channel, who, should he cross the Atlantic, might be com- 
pletely cured. Indeed we have reason to believe, that a voyage of 
this kind, if taken in due lime, would seldom fail to cure a consumption. 

f Though I do not remember to have seen one instance of a genuine 
consumption of the lungs cured by medicine, yet I have known a West- 
India voyage work wonders in that dreadful disorder,. 



OP CONSUMPTIONS* 139 

•saust keep chiefly to the use of vegetables and imlk.~-Milk alone is of 
more value in this disease than the whole materia mcdica. 

Asses' milk, is commonly reckoned preferable to any other ; but it 
cannot always' be obtained; besides it is generally takeu in a very- 
small quantity ; whereas to produce any effect, it ought to make a 
considerable part of the patient's diet. It is hardly to be expected, 
that a jill or two of asses' milk, drank in the space of twenty-four hours, 
should be able to produce any considerable change in the humours of 
an adult ; and when people do not perceive its effects soon, they lose 
hope, and so leave it off. Henee it happens that this medicine, howev- 
er valuable, very seldom performs a cure. The reason is obvious ; it 
is commonly used too late, is taken in too small quantities, and is not 
duly persisted in, 

I have known very extraordinary effects from asses' milk in obsti- 
nate coughs, which threatened a consumption of the lungs; and do ver- 
ily believe, if used at this period, that it would seldom fail ; but if it 
be delayed till an ulcer is formed, which is generally the case, how cau 
it be expected to succeed ? 

Asses' milk ought to be drank, if possible, in its natural warmth, and 
by a grown person, in the quantity of half an English pint at a time* 
Instead of taking this quantity night and morning only, the patient ought 
to take it four times, or at least thrice a-day, and to eat a little light 
bread along with it, so as to make it a kind of meal. 

If the milk should happen to purge, it may be mixed with cold con- 
serve of roses. When that cannot be obtained, the powder of crab's 
claws may be used in its stead. Asses' milk is usually ordered to be 
drank warm in bed ; but as it generally throws the patient into a sweat 
when taken in this way, it would perhaps be better to give it after it 
rises. • 

Some extraordinary cures in consumptive cases have been perform- 
ed by women's milk. Could this be obtained in a sufficient quantity, 
we would recommend it in preference to any other. It is better if the 
patient can suck it from the breast, than to drink it afterwards. I knew 
a man who was reduced to such a degree of weakness m a consump- 
tion, as not to be able to turn himself in bed. His wife was at that 
time giving suck, and the child happening to die, he sucked her breasts,« 
not with a view to Teap any advantage from the milk, but to make het 
easy. Finding himself however greatly benefited by it, he continued 
to suck her till he became perfectly well, and is at present a strong and 
healthy man. 

Some prefer butter milk to any other, and it is indeed a very valuable 
medicine, if the stomach be able to bear it. It does not agree with ev- 
ery person at first ; and is therefore often laid aside without a sufficient 
trial. It should at first be taken sparingly, and the quantity gradually 
increased, until it comes to be almost the sole food;— I never knew it 
to succeed unless where the patient almost lived upon it 



140 OF CONSUMPTIONS. 

Cows milk is most readily obtained of any, and though it be not S3 
easily digested as that of asses or mares, it may be rendered lighter by 
adding to it an equal quantity of barle> -water, or allowing it to stand for 
some hours, and afterwards taking off the cream. If it should notwith- 
standing prove heavy on the stomach, a small quantity of brandy or 
rum. with a little of sugar, may be added, which will render it both 
mort light and nourishing. 

It is not to be wondered, that milk should for some time disagree 
with a stomach that has not been accustomed to digest aoy thing but 
flesh and strong liquors, which i« the case with many of those who fall 
into '.on-umptions. We do not however advise those who have been 
accustomed to animal food and strong liquors, to leave them off all at 
ouc This might be dangerous. It will be necessary for such to eat 
a little once a-day of the tlesn of some young animal, or rather to use 
the broth made of chickens, veal, lamb, or such like. They ought 
likewise to drink a little wine, made into negus, or diluted with twice 
or thrice its quantity of water, and to make it gradually weaker till 
they can leave it off* altogether. . 

These must be used only as preparatives to a diet consisting chiefly 
of milk and vegetables, which the sooner the patient can be brought to 
bear, the better. Rice and milk, or barley and milk, boiled with a 
little sugar, is very proper food. Ripe fruits roasted, baked or boil- 
ed, are likewise proper, as gooseberry or currant tarts, apples roasted, 
or boiled in milk, &c. The juices, conserves, and preserves, &c. of ripe 
subacid fruits, ought to be eaten plentifully, as the jelly of currants, 
conserves of roses, preserved plumbs, cherries, &c. 

Wholesome air, proper exercise, and a diet consisting chiefly of 
these and other vegetables, with milk, is the only course that can be de- 
pended on in a beginning consumption. If the patient has strength and 
sufficient resolution to persist in this course, he will seldom be disap- 
pointed of a cure. 

In a populous town iu England,* where consumptions are very com- 
mon, I have frequently seen consumptive patients, who had been sent 
to the country with orders to ride, and live upon milk and vegetables, 
return in a few months quite plump, and free from any complaint. Tbis 
indeed was not always the case, especially when the disease was he- 
reditary, or far advanced; but it was the only method in which suc- 
cess was to be expected : where it failed, I never knew medicine suc- 
ceed. 

If the patient's strength and spirits flag, he must be supported by 
strong broths, jellies, and such like. Some recommend shell fish in 
tbis disorder, and with some reason, as tbey are nourishing and resto- 



Sheffield. 



OF CONSUMPTIONS. Hi 

rative.* All the food and drink ought however to be taken in small 
quantities, lest an overcharge of fresh chyle should oppress the lungs, 
and too much accelerate the circulation of the blood. 

The patieut's mind ought to be kept as easy and cheerful as possi- 
ble. Consumptions are often occasioned, and always aggravated, by a 
melancholy cast of mind ; for which reason music, cheerful company, 
and every thing that inspires mirth, are highly beneficial. The patient 
ought seldom to be left alone, as brooding over his calamities is sure 
to render him worse. 

MEDICINE. — Though the cure of this disease depends chiefly 
upon regimen and the patient's own endeavours, yet we shall mention a 
few things which may be of service in relieving some of the more vio- 
lent symptoms. 

In the first stage of a consumption, the cough may sometimes be ap- 
peased by bleeding ; and the expectoration may be promoted by the 
following medicines. Take fresh squills, gum-ammoniac, and powdered 
cardamum seeds, of each a quarter of an ounce; beat them together in 
a mortar, and if the mass proves too hard for pills, a little of any kind 
of syrup may be added to it. This may be formed into pills of a mod- 
erate size, and four or five of them taken twice or thrice a-day, ac- 
cording as the patient's stomach will bear them. 

The lac ammoniacum, or milk of gum-ammoniac, as it is called, is 
likewise a proper medicine in this stage of the disease. It may be used 
as directed in the pleurisy. 

A mixture made of equal parts of lemon juice, fine honey, and syr- 
up of poppies, may likewise be used. Four ounces of each of these 
may be simmered together in a sauce-pan, over a gentle fire, and a ta- 
ble-spoonful of it taken at any time when the cough is tronblesome. 

It is common in this stage of the disease to load the patient's stomach 
with oily and balsamic medicines. These, instead of removing the 
cause of the disease, tend rather to increase it by heating the blood, 
while they pall the appetite, relax the solids, and prove every way 
hurtful to the patient. Whatever is used for removing the cough, be- 
sides riding and other proper regimen, ought to be medicines of a sharp 
and cleansing nature; as oxymel, syrup of lemon, &c. 

Acids seem to have peculiarly good effects in this disease; they both 
tend to quench the patient's thirst and to cool the blood. The vegeta- 
ble acids, as apples, oranges, lemons, &c. appear to be the most prop- 
er. I have known patients suck the juice of several lemons every day 
with manifest advantage, and would for this reason Tecommend acid 
vegetables to be taken in as great quantity as the stomach will bear. 

* I have often known persons of a consumptive habit, where the symp- 
toms were not violent, reap great benefit from the use of oysters. They 
generally eat them raw, and drink the juice along with them. 






142 OF CONSUMPTIONS. 

For the patient's drink, we would recommend infusions of the bilte? 
plants, as ground-ivy, the lesser centaury, camomile- flowers, or water- 
tresoil. These infusioos may be drank at pleasure. They strengthen 
the stomach, promote digestion, and at the same time answer all the 
purposes of dilution, and quench thirst much belter than things that 
are luscious or sweet. But if the patient spits blood, he ought to use, 
for his ordinary driuk, infusions or decoctions of the vulnerary roots, 
plants, &c. 

There are many other mucilaginous • plants and seeds, of a healing 
and agglutiuatiug nature, from which decoctions or infusions may be 
prepared with the same intention; as the others, the quince-seed, col's- 
foot linseed, sarsaparilla, &c. It is not necessary to mention the dif- 
ferent ways in which these may be prepared. Simple infusion or boil- 
ing is all that is necessary, and the dose may be at discretion. 

The conserve of roses is here peculiarly proper. It may either b« 
put iuto the decoction above prescribed, or eaten by itself. Wo bene- 
fit is to be expected from trifling doses of this medicine. I never knew 
it of any service, unles.i where three or four ounces at least were used 
daily for a considerable time. In this way I have seen it produce very 
happy effects, and would recommend it wherever there is a discharge 
of blood from the lungs. 

When the spitting up of gross matter, oppression of the breast, and 
the hectic symptoms, shew that an imposthume is formed in the lungs, 
we would i ecommt ud the Peruviau bark, that being the only drug which 
lias any chance to counteract the general tendency which the humours 
then iiave to putrefaction. 

An ounce of the bark in powder may be divided iuto eighteen or 
twenty doses, of which one may be taken every three hours through 
the day, in a little syrup, or a cup of horehound tea. 

If the bark should happen to purge, it may be made into an electua- 
ry, with the conserve of roses, thus : Take old conserve of roses a quar- 
ter of a pound, Peruvian bark a quarter of an ounce, syrup of orange 
or lemon, as much as will make it of the consistence of honey. This 
quantity will serve the patient four or five days, and may be repeated 
as there is occasion. 

Such as cannot take the bark in substance, may infuse it in cold wa- 
ter. This seems to be the best menstrum for extracting the virtues of 
that drug. Half an ounce of bark in powder may be iofused for twenty- 
feux hours in half an English pint of water. Afterwards let it be pass- 
ed through a fine strainer, and an ordinary tea-cupful of it taken three 
or four times a- day. 

We would not recommend the bark while there are any symptoms 
of an inflammation of the breast ; but when it is certainly known that 
matter is collected there, it is one of the best medicines which can be 
used. Few patients indeed have resolution enough to give the bark a 



OF CONSUMPTIONS. H3 

fair trial at this period of the disease, otherwise we have reason to be- 
lieve that some benefit might be reaped from it. 

When it is evident that there is an iaiposthume in the breast, and the 
matter can neither be spit up nor carried off by absorption, the patient 
Mtust eudeavour to make it break inwardly, by drawing in the steams 
of warm water, or vinegar, with his breath, coughing, laughing, or bawl- 
ing aloud, &c. When it happens to burst within the lungs, the matter 
may be discharged by the mouth. Sometimes indeed the bursting of 
the vomica occasions immediate death by suffocating the patient. When 
the quantity of matter is great, and the patient's strength exhausted, 
this is commonly the case. At any rate the patient is ready to fall into 
a swoon, and should have volatile salts or spirits held to his nose. 

If the matter discharged be thick, and the cough and breathing be« 
come easier, there may be some hopes oi a cure. The diet at this 
time ought to be light, but restorative, as chicken-broths, sago-gruel, 
rice-milk, &c. the drink, butter-milk or whey, sweetened with honey. 
This is likewise a proper time for using the Peruvian bark, which may 
be taken as directed above. 

If the vomica or imposthume should discharge itself into the cavity 
of the breast, between the pleura and the lungs, there is no way of 
getting the matter out but by an incision, as has already been observed. 
As this operation must always be performed by a surgeon, it is not ne- 
cessary here to describe it. We shall only add, that it is not so dread- 
ful as people are apt to imagine, and that it is the orJy chance the pa- 
tient in this case has for his life. 

A NERVOUS CONSUMPTION is a wasting or decay of the 
whole body, without any considerable degree of fever, cough, or diffi- 
culty of breathing. It is attended with indigestion, weakness, and 
want, of appetite, &c. 

Those who are of a fretful temper, who indulge in spirituous liquors, 
er who breathe an unwholesome air, are most liable to this disease. 

We would chiefly recommend, for the cure of a nervous consump- 
tion, a light and nourishing diet, plenty of exercise in free open air, 
and the use of such bitters as brace and strengthen the stomach ; as 
the Peruvian bark, gentian root, camomile, horehound, &c. These 
may be infused in water or wine, and a glass of it drank frequently. 

It will greatly assist the digestion, and promote the cure of this dis- 
ease, to take twice a-day twenty or thirty drops of the elixir of vitriol 
in a glass of wine or water. The chalybeate wine is likewise an ex- 
cellent medicine in this case. It strengthens the solids, and powerfully 
assists Nature in the preparation of good blood. 

Agreeable amusements, cheerful company, and riding about, are how- 
ever preferable to all medicines in this disease. For which reason, whea 
the patient can afford it, we would recommend a long journey of pleas- 
ure, as the most likely means to restore his health. 



144 OF THE NERVOUS FEVER. 

What is called a symptomatic consumption, cannot be cured without 
first removing the disease by which it is occasioned. Thus, when a 
consumption proceeds from the scrophula, or king's evil, from the scur- 
vy, the asthma, the venereal disease, &c a due attention must be paid 
to the malady from wheuce it arises, and the regimen and medicine di- 
rected accordingly. 

When excessive evacuations of any kind occasion a consumption, they 
must not only be restrained, but the patient's strength must be restored 
by gentle exercise, nourishing diet, and generous cordials. Young and 
delicate mothers often fall into consumptions, by giving suck too long. 
As soon as they perceive their strength and appetite begin to fail, they 
ought immediately to wean the child, or provide another nurse, oth- 
erwise they cannot expect a cure. 

Before we quit this subject, we would earnestly recommend it to all, 
as they wisli to avoid consumptions, to take as much exercise, without 
doors, as they can, to avoid unwholesome air, and to study sobriety. 
Consumptions owe their present increase not a little to the fashion of sit- 
ting up late, eating hot suppers, and spending every evening over a 
bowl of hot punch or other strong liquors. — These liquors, when too 
freely used, not only hurt the digestion, and spoil the appetite, but heat 
and inflame the blood, and set the whole constitution on fire. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

OF THE SLOW OR NERVOUS FEVER. 



NERVOUS fevers have increased greatly of late years in this isl- 
and, owing doubtless to our different manner of living, and the in- 
crease of sedentary employments; as they commonly attack persons of 
a weak relaxed habit, who neglect exercise, eat little solid food, study 
hard, or indulge in spirituous liquors. 

CAUSES. — Nervous fevers may be occasioned by whatever de- 
presses the spirits, or impoverishes the blood ; as grief, fear, anxiety, 
want of sleep, intense thought, living on poor watery diet, unripe fruits, 
cucumbers, melons, mushrooms, &c. They may likewise be occasion- 
ed by damp confined, or unwholesome air. Hence they are very com- 
mon in rainy seasons, and prove most fatal to those who live in dirty 
low houses, crowded streets, hospitals, jails, or such like places. 



OF THE NERVOUS FEVER. T415 

Persons whose constitutions have been broken by excessive venery, 
frequent salivations, too free an use of purgative medicines, or any oth- 
er excessive evacuations, are most liable to this disease. 

Kee»j-)g ; on wet clojhes, lying on the damp ground, excessive fatigue, 
and whatever obstruqjs the perspiration, or causes a spasmodic strict- 
ure of the salids, may likewise occasion nervous fevers. We shall on- 
ly add, frequent and great irregularities in diet. Too great abstinence 
as well as excess, is hurtful. Nothing tends so much to preserve the 
body in a sound state as a regular diet ; nor can any thing contribute 
more to occasion fevers of the worst kind than its opposite. 

SYMPTOMS. — Low spirits, want of appetite, weakness, weariness 
after motion, watchfulness, deep sighing, and dejection of mind, are 
generally the forerunners of this disease. These are succeeded by a 
quick low pulse, a dry tongue without any considerable thirst, chilli- 
ness and flushing in turns, &c. 

After some time the patient complains of a giddiness and pain of the 
head, has a nausea, with retchings and vomiting ; the pulse is quick, 
and sometimes intermitting; the urine pale, resembling dead small 
beer, and the breathing is difficult, with oppressions of the breast, and 
slight alienations of the mind. 

If towards the ninth, tenth, or twelfth day, the tongue becomes more 
moist, with a plentiful spitting, a gentle purging, or a moisture upon the 
skin; or if a suppuration happens in one or both ears, or large pus- 
tules break out about the lips and nose, there is reason to hope for a 
favourable crisis. 

But if there is an excessive looseness or wasting sweats, with fre- 
quent fainting fits ; if the tongue, when put out, trembles excessively, 
and the extremities feel cold, with a fluttering or slow creeping pulse j 
if there is a starting of the tendons, an almost total loss of sight and 
hearing, and an involuntary discharge by stool and urine, there is 
great reason to fear that death is approaching. 

REGIMEN.— It is very necessary in this disease to keep the pa- 
tient cool and quiet. The least motion would fatigue him, and will be 
apt to occasion weariness, and even faintings. His mind ought not on- 
ly to be kept easy, but soothed and comforted with the hopes of a spee- 
dy recovery. Nothing is more hurtful in low fevers of this kind than 
presenting to the patient's imagination gloomy or frightful ideas. These 
of themselves often occasion nervous fevers, and it is not to be doubted 
but they will likewise aggravate them. 

The patient must not be kept too low. His strength and spirits ought 
to be supported by nourishing diet and generous cordials. For this 
purpose his gruel, panado, or whatever food he takes, must be- mixed 
with wine according as the symptoms may require. Pretty strong wine- 
whey, or small negus sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon, will 
be proper for his ordinary drink. Mustard- whev is likewise a very 
19 



146 OF THE NERVOUS FEVER. 

proper drink id tliis fever, and may be rendered an excellent cordial 
medicine by the addition of a proper quantity of white wine. 

Wine in this disease, if it could be obtained genuine, is almost the 
only mediciye that would be necessary. GootKwine posses*** all the 
virtues of the cordial medicines, while it is free SVom many oMheir bad 
qualities. I say good wine; for however common this article of luxu- 
ry is now become, it is rarely to be obtained geuuiue, especially by the 
poor, who are obliged to purchase it in small quantities. 

I have often seen patients in low nervous fevers where the pulse could 
hardly be felt, with a constant delirium, coldness of the extremities, 
and almost every other mortal symptom, recover by ushag in whey, 
gruel, and negus, a bottle or two of strong wine every day. Good old 
sound claret is the best, and may be made into negus, or given by itself, 
as circumstances may require. 

In a word, the great aim in this disease is to support the patient's 
strength, by giving him frequently small quantities of the above, or 
other drinks of a warm and cordial nature. He is not however to be 
overheated either with liquor or clothes ; and his food ought to be 
light, and given in small quantities. 

MEDICINE. — When a nausea, load, and sickness at the stomach, 
prevail at the beginning of the fever, it will be necessary to give the 
patient a gentle vomit. Fifteen or twenty grains of ipecacuanha in fine 
powder, or a few spoonsful of the vomiting julep, will geuerally answer 
this purpose very well. This may be repeated any time before the 
third or fourth day, if the above symptoms continue. Vomits not only 
clean the stomach, but by the general shock Avhich they give, promote 
the perspiration, and have many other excellent effects in slow fevers, 
where there ars no signs of inflammation, and nature wants rousing. 

Such as dare not venture upon a vomit may clean the bowels by a 
small dose of turkey rhubarb, or an infusion of senna and manna. 

In all fevers, the great poiut is to regulate the symptoms so as to pre- 
vent them from going to either extreme. Thus, in fevers of the inflam- 
matory kind, where the force of the circulation is too great, or the 
blood dense, and the fibres too rigid, bleeding and ether evacuations 
are necessary. But in nervous fevers, where nature flags, where the 
blood is vipid and poor, and the solids relaxed, the lancet must be spa- 
red, and wine, with other cordials, plentifully administered. 

It is the more necessary to caution people against bleeding in this 
disease, as there is generally at the beginning an universal stricture up- 
on the vessels, and sometimes an oppression and difficulty of breathing, 
which suggest the idea of a plethora, or too great a quantity of blood. 
I have known even some of the faculty deceived by their own feelings 
in this respect, so far as to insist upon being bled, when it was evident 
from the consequences that the operation was improper. 

Though bleeding is generally improper in this disease, yet blistering 
is highly necessary. Blistering pkisters may be applied at all times of 



OP THE NERVOUS FEVER. 147 

the fever with great advantage. If the patient is delirious he ought to 
be blistered ou the neck or head, and it will be the safest course, when 
the insensibility continues, as soon as the discharge occasioned by one 
blistering-plaster abates, to apply another to some other part of the bo- 
dy, and by that means keep up a continual succession of them till he 
be out of danger. 

I have been more sensible of the advantage of blistering in this than 
in any other disease. Blistering plasters not only stimulate the solids 
to action, but likewise occasion a continual discharge, which may in 
eome measure supply the want of critical evacuations, which seldom 
happen in this kind of fever. They are most proper, however, either 
towards the beginning, or after some degree of stupor has come On, in 
which last case it will always be proper to blister the head. 

If the patient is costive through the course of the disease, it will be 
necessary to procure a stool, by giving him every other day a clyster 
of milk and water, with a little sugar, to which may be added a spoon- 
ful of common salt, if the above does not operate. 

Should a violent looseness come ou, it may be checked by small 
quantities of Venice treacle, or giving the patient for his ordinary drink 
the white decoction. 

A miliary eruption sometimes breaks out about the ninth or tenth 
day. As eruptions are often critical, great care should be taken not 
to retard Nature's operation in this particular. The eruption ought 
neither to be checked by bleeding nor other evacuations, nor pushed 
out by a hot regimen; but the patient should be supported by gentle 
cordials, as wine-whey, small negus, sago-gruel with a little wine in it, 
and such Jike. He ought not to be kept too warm ; yet a kindly breath- 
ing sweat should by no means be checked. 

Though blistering and the use of cordial liquors are the chief things 
to be depended on in this kind of fever; yet for those who may chuse 
to use them, we shall mention one or two of the forms of medicine which 
are commonly prescribed in it.* 

In desperate cases, where the hickup and starting of the tendons have 
already come on, we have sometimes seen extraordinary effects from 
doses of musk frequently repeated. Musk is doubtless an antispas- 
modic, and may be given to the quantity of a scruple three or four 

* When the patient is low, ten grains of Virginian snake-root, and 
the same quantity of contraerva-root, with five grains of Russian cas- 
tor, all in fine powder, may be made into a bolus with a little of the 
cordial confection of syrup of saffron. One of these may be taken ev- 
ery four or five hours. 

The following powder may be used with the same intention : Take 
wild Valerian- root in powder one scruple, saffron and castor each four 
grains. Mix these by rubbing them together in a mortar, and give one 
in a cup of wine-whey, ^rce *: four times a-day. 



143 PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. 

times a- day, or ofteuer if necessary. Sometimes it may be proper to" 
add to the musk a few grains of camphire, and salt of hartshorn, as 
these tend to promote perspiration and the discharge of urine. Thus 
fifteen grains of musk, with three grains of camphire, and six grains of 
salt of hnrtshora, may be made into a bolus with a little syrup, and giv- 
en as above. 

It" the fever should happen to intermit, which it frequently does to- 
wards the decline, or if the patient's strength should be wasted with col- 
liquative sweats, &c. it will be necessary to give him the Peruvian 
bark. Half a drachm, or a whole drachm, if the stomach will bear it, 
of the bark in fine powder, may be given four or five times a-day in a 
glass of red port or claret. Should the bark in substance not sit easy 
on the stomach, an ounce of it in powder may be infused in a bottle of 
Lisbon or Rhenish wiue for two or three days, afterwards it may be 
strained, and a glass of it taken frequently.* 

Some give the bark in this and other fevers, where there are no 
symptoms of inflammation, without any regard to the remission or in- 
termission of the fever. How far future observation may tend to es- 
tablish this practice, we will not pretend to say ; but we have reason 
to believe that the bark is a very universal febrifuge, and that it may 
be administered with advantage in most fevers where bleeding is not 
necessary, or where there are no symptoms of topical inflammation. 



CHAPTER XX. 
* 

OF THE MALIGNANT, PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. 



fryHlS may be called the pestilential fever of Europe, as in many of 
J. its symptoms it bears a great resemblance to that dreadful disease 
the plague. Persons of a lax habit, a melancholy disposition, and those 
whose vigour has been wasted by long fasting, watching, hard labour 
excessive venery, frequent salivations, «fcc. are most liable it. 

* The bark may likewise be very properly administered, along with 
other cordials, in the following manner : Take 3n ounce of Peruviau 
bark, orange peel half an ounce, Virginian snake-root two drachms, 
saffron one drachm. Let all of them be powdered, and infused in a 
pint ot the best brandy for three or four da) s. Afterwards the liquor 
may be strained, and two tea-spoonsful of it given three or four times 
fe-day io a glass of small wine or negus. 



PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. 149 

CAUSES. — This fever is occasioned by foul air, from a number of 
people being confined in a narrow place, not properly ventilated : from 
putrid animal and vegetable effluvia, &c. Hence it prevails in camps, 
jails, hospitals, and infirmaries especially where such places are too 
much crowded, and cleanliness is neglected. 

A close constitution of the air, with long rainy or foggy weather, 
likewise occasion putrid fevers. They often succeed great inundations 
in low and marshy countries, especially when these are preceded or 
followed by a hot and sultry season. 

Living too much Upon animal foood, without a proper mixture of 
vegetables, or eating fish or flesh that has been kept too long, are like- 
wise apt to occasion this kind of fever. Hence sailors on long voyages, 
and the inhabitants of besieged cities, are very often visited with pu- 
trid fevers. 

Corn that has been greatly damaged by rainy seasons, or loDg keep- 
ing, and water which has become putrid by stagnation, &c. may like- 
wise occasion this feverw 

Dead carcases tainting the air, especially in hot seasons, are very 
apt to occasion putrid diseases. Hence this kind of fever often pre-* 
Vails in countries which are the scenes of war and bloodshed. This 
shows the propriety of removing burying-grounds, slaughter-houses, 
&c. at a proper distance from great towns. 

Want of cleanliness is a very general cause of putrid fevers. Hence 
they prevail amongst the poor inhabitants of large towns, who breathe a 
confined unwholesome air, and neglect cleanliness. Such mechanics 
as carry on dirty employments, and are constantly confined within doors 
are likewise Very liable to this disease. 

We shall only add, that putrid, malignant, or spotted fevers, are 
highly infectious, and are therefore often communicated by contagion. 
For which reason all persons ought to keep at a distance from those 
affected with such diseases, unless their attendance is absolutely neces- 
sary. 

SYMPTOMS.— The malignant fever is generally preceded by a 
remarkable weakness or loss of strength, without any apparent cause. 
This is sometimes so great, that the patient can scarce walk, or even 
sit upright, without being in danger of fainting away. His mind too is 
greatly dejected ; he sighs, and is full of dreadful apprehensions. 

There is a nausea, and sometimes a vomiting of bile ; a violent pain 
of the head, with a strong pulsation or throbbing of the temporal arteries; 
the eyes often appear red and inflamed, with a pain at the bottom of 
the orbit ; there is a noise in the ears, the breathing is laborious and 
often interrupted with a sigh ; complaints of a pain about the region of 
the stomach, and in the back and loins ; the tongue is at first white, but 
afterwards it appears black and chaped; and his teeth are covered 
■With a black crust. He sometimes passes worms both upwards and 



1>0 PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. 

downwards, is affected with tremors or shaking, and often becomes deli* 
lious. 

If blcod is let, it appears dissolved, or with a very small degree of 
cohesion, and soon becomes putrid; the stools smell extremely foetid, 
and are sometimes of a greenish, black, or reddish cast. Spots of a 
pale purple, dun, or black colour, often appear upon the skin, and 
sometimes there are violent haemorrhages or discharges of blood from 
the mouth, eyes, nose, &c. 

Putrid fevers may be distinguished from the inflammatory by the 
sraalluess of the pulse, the great dejection of mind, the dissolved state 
of the blood, the petechia?, or purple spots, aad the putrid smell of the 
excrements. They may likewise be distinguished from the low or 
nervous fever, by the heat and thirst being greater, the urine of a high- 
er colour, and the loss of strength, dejection of mind, and all the other 
symptoms more violent. 

It sometimes happens, however, that the inflammatory, nervous, and 
putrid symptoms are so blended together, as to render it very difficult 
to determine to which class the fever belongs. In this case the great- 
est caution and skill are requisite. Attention must be paid to those 
symptoms which are most prevalent, and both the regimen and medi- 
cines adapted to them. 

Inflammatory and nervous fevers may be converted into malignant 
and putrid, by too hot a regimen or improper medicines. 

The duration of putrid fevers is extremely uncertain; sometimes 
they terminate between the seventh and fourteenth day, and at other times 
they are prolonged for five or six weeks. Their duration depends 
greatly upon the constitution of the patient, and the manner of treating 
the disease. 

The most favourable symptoms are, a gentle looseness after the fourth 
or fifth day, with a warm mild sweat. These, when continued for a 
considerable time, often carry off the fever, and should never be impru- 
dently stopped. Small miliary pustules appearing between the pete- 
chia? or purple spots, are likewise favourable, as also hot scabby erup- 
tions about the mouth and nose. It is a good sign when the pulse rises 
upon the use of wine, or other cordials, and the nervous symptoms 
abate; deafness coming on towards the decline of the fever, is likewise 
often a favourable symptom,* as are abscesses in the groin or parotid 



Among the unfavourable symptoms may be reckoned an excessive 
looseness, with a hard swelled belly; large black or livid blotches break- 
ins: out upon the skin ; aphthae in the mouth ; cold clammy sweats ; 
blindness; change of the voice; a wild starting of the eyes; difficulty 
*>f swallowing ; inability to put out the tongue; and a constant inclina- 

* Deafness is not always a favourable symptom iu this disease. Per- 
haps it h cnly so when occasioned by abscesses formed within the ears. 



\ 
PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. lil 

lion to uncover the breast. When the sweat and saliva are tinged with 
blood, aud the urine is black, or deposits a black sooty sediment, the 
patient is in great danger. Starting of the tendons, and foetid ichorous, 
involuntary stools, attended with coldness of the extremities, are gener- 
ally the forerunners of death. 

REGIMEN. — In the treatment of this disease we ought to endeav- 
our as far as possible to counteract the putrid tendency of the humours; 
to support the patient's strength and spirits ; and to assist nature in ex- 
pelling the cause of this disease, by geutly promoting perspiration and 
the other evacuations. 

It has been observed, that putrid fevers are often occasioned by un- 
wholesome air, and of course they must be aggravated by it. 0tre 
should therefore be taken to prevent the air from stagnating in the 
patient's chamber, to keep it cool, and renew it frequently, by opening 
the doors or windows of some adjacent apartment. The breath and 
perspiration of persons in perfect health soon render the air of a sniall 
apartmeut noxious; but this will sooner happen from the perspiration 
and breath of a person whose whole mass of humours are in a putrid state. 

Besides the frequent admission of fresh air, we would recommend 
the use of vinegar, verjuice, juice of lemon, Seville orange, or any kind 
of vegetable acid that can be most readily obtained. These ought 
frequently to be sprinkled ©n the floor, the bed, and every part cf the 
room. They may also be evaporated with a hot iron, or by boiling, 
tic. The fresh skins of lemons or oranges ought likewise to be laid iu 
different parts of the room, and they should be frequently held t^ the 
patient's nose. The use of acids in this manner would not only pfove 
very refreshing to the patient, but would likewise tend to prevent the 
infection from spreading among those who attend him. Strong scented 
herbs, as rhue, tansy, rosemary, wormwood, &c. may likewise be laid 
in different parts of the house, and smelled to by those who go near the 
patient. I 

The patient must not only be kept cool, but likewise quiet aud easy. 

The least noise will affect his head, and the smallest fatigue will be 
apt to make him faint. f 

Few things are of greater importance in this disease than acids, whkh 
ought to be mixed with all the patient's food as well as drink. Orange, 
lemon, or vinegar- whey, are all very proper, and may be drank fey 
turns, according to the patient's inclination. They may be rendered 
cordial by the addition of wine iD such quantity as the patient's strength 
seems to require. When he is very low, he may drink negus, with 
only one half water, and sharpened with the juice of orange or lemton. 
Iu some cases a glass of wine may now and then be allowed. The 
most proper wine is Rhenish, or Madeira : but if the body be o^en, 
red port, or claret is to be preferred. 

When the body is bound, a tea-spoonful of the cream of tartar may 
be put into a cup of the patient's drink, ss there is occasion; or hemaj 



Ii2 PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVER. 

drink a decoction of tamarinds, which will both quench his thirst, and 
promote a discharge by stool. 

If camomile-tea will sit upon his stomach, it is a very proper drink; 
an this disease. It may be sharpened by adding to every cup of the 
lea ten or fifteen drops of the elixir of vitriol. 

The food must be light, as panado, or water gruel, to which a little 
wine may be added, if the patient be weak and low ; and they ought 
all to be sharpened with the juice of orange, the jelly of currants, or 
tht: like. The patient ought likewise to eat freely of ripe fruits, as 
roasted apples, currant or goosberry tarts, preserved cherries, or 
plains, &c. 

Taking a little food or drink frequently, not only supports the spir- 
its., but counteracts the putrid tendency of the humours ; for which 
reason the patient ought frequently to be sipping small quantities of 
some of the acid liquors mentioned above, or any that may be more 
agreeable to his palate, or more readily obtained. 

If he is delirious, his feet and hands ought to be frequently foment- 
ed! with a strong infusion of camomile flowers. This or an infusion of 
the; bark ; to such as can afford it, caunot fail to have a good effect. 
Fomentations of this kind not only relieve the head, by relaxing the 
vet- ;els in the extremities, but as their contents are absorbed, and taken 
into the system, they may assist in preventing the putrescency of the 
humours. 

MEDICINE. — If a vomit be given at the beginning of this fever, 
it will hardly fail to have a good effect ; but if the fever has gone on 
for some days, and the symptoms are violent, vomits are uot quite so 
safe;. The body however is always to be kept gently open by clys- 
ters, or mild laxative medicines. 

Bleeding is seldom necessary iu putrid fevers. If there be signs of 
nn inflammation, it may sometimes be permitted at the first onset ; but 
the repetition of it generally proves hurtful. 

Blistering-plasters are never to be used unless in the greatest ex- 
tremities. If the petechias or spots should suddenly disappear, the pa- 
tient's pulse sink remarkably, and a delirium, with other bad symptoms 
come on, blistering may be permitted. In this case the blistering-plas- 
ters are to be applied to the; head, and inside of the legs or thighs. But 
atj they are sometimes apt to occasion a gangrene, we would rather 
recommend warm cataplasms or poultices of mustard and vinegar to be 
applied to the feet, having recourse to blisters only iu the utmost ex- 
tremities. 

It is common in the beginning of this fever to give the emetic tartar 
in small doses, repeated e\ ery second or third hour, till it shall either 
vomit, purge, or throw the piatient into a sweat. This practice is very 
proper, provided it be not pushed so far as to weaken the patient. 

A very ridiculous notion lias long prevailed of expelling the poison- 
ous matter of malignant diseases by trifling doses of cordial or alexi? 



PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEFER. 153 

pharmic medicines. In consequence of this notion, the conlrayerva- 
root, the cordial confection, the raithridate, &c. have been extolled as 
infallible remedies. There is reason however to believe, that these 
seldom do much good. Where cordials are necessary, we know none 
that is superior to good wine ; and therefore again recommend it botb 
as the safest and the best. Wine, with acids and antiseptics, are the 
only things to be relied on in the cure of malignant fevers. 

In the most dangerous species of this disease, when it is attended, 
with purple, livid, or black spots, the Peruvian bark must be adminis- 
tered. I have seen it, when joined with acids, prove successful, even 
in eases where the petechias had the most threateuiog aspect. But fo 
answer this purpose it must not only be given in large doses, but duly 
persisted in. 

The best method of administering the bark is certainly in substance. 
An ounce of it in powder may be mixed with a half pint of water, and. 
the same quantity of red wine, and sharpened with the elixir or the 
spirit of vitriol, which will both make it sit easier on the stomach, and 
render it more beneficial. Two or three ounces of the syrup of lemon 
may be added, and two table-spoonsful of the mixture taken every two 
hours, or oftener, if the stomach is able to bear it. Those who cannot 
take the bark in substance may infuse it in wine, as recommended in the 
preceding disease. 

If there be a violent looseness, the bark must be boiled hi red wine 
-with a little cinnamon, and sharpened with the elixir of vitriol, as above. 
Nothing can be more beneficial in this kind of looseness than plenty of 
acids, and such things as promote a gentle perspiration. 

If the patient be troubled with vomiting, a dram of the salt of worm- 
wood, dissolved in an ounce and a half of fresh lemon juice, and made 
into a draught with an ounce of simple cinnamon- water, and a bit of 
sujrar, may be given and repeated as often as it is necessary. 

If swellings of the glands appear, their suppuration is to be promoted 
by the application of poultices, ripening cataplasms, &c. And as soon 
as there is any appearance of matter in thern, they ought to be laid open 
and the poultices continued. 

I have known large ulcerous sores break out in various parts of the 
body, in the decline of this fever, of a livid gangrenous appearance, and 
a most putrid cadaverous smell. These gradually healed, and the 
patient recovered, by the plentiful use of Peruvian bark and wine, 
sharpened wiih the spirits of vitriol. 

For preventing putrid fevers we would recommend a strict regard to 
cleanliness; a dry situation; sufficient exercise in the open air; 
wholesome food, and a moderate use of generous liquors. Infection 
ought above all things to be avoided. No constitution is proof against 
it. I have known persons seized with a putrid fever, by only making 
a single visit to a patient in it; others have caught it by lodging fos 
29 



154 PUTRID OR SMTTED FEVER. 

one night in a town where it prevailed ; and some by atteDdiog the fu- 
neral of such a3 died of it. # 

When a putrid fever seizes any person in a family, the greatest at- 
tention is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading. The sick 
ought to be placed in a large apartment, as remote from the rest of the 
family as possible; he ought likewise to be kept extremely clean, and 
should have fiesh air frequently let into Iris chamber; whatever comes 
from him should be immediately removed, his linen should be frequent- 
ly changed, and those in health ought to avoid all unnecessary com* 
tnunication with him. 

Any one who is apprehensive of having caught the infection, ought 
Immediately to take a vomit, and to work it off by drinking plentifully 
of camomile tea. This may be repeated in a day or two, if the appre- 
hensions still continue, or any unfavourable symptoms appear. 

The person ought likewise to take an iufm-ion of the bark and camo- 
mile flowers for his ordinary drink ; and before he goes to bed he may 
drink a pint of pretty strong negus, or a few glasses of generous wine. 
I have been frequently obliged to follow this course when malignant 
fevers prevailed, anel have likewise recommended it to others with 
constant success. 

People generally fly to bleeding and purging as antidotes against in- 
fection ; but these are so far from securing them, that they often, by 
debilitating the body, increase the danger. 

Those who wait upon the sick in putrid fevers, ought always to have 
a piece of spunge or a handkerchief dipt in vinegar, or juice of lemon, 
to smell to while near the patient. They ought likewise to wash their 
hands, and, if possible, to change their clothes, before they go into com- 
pany. 



* The late Sir John Priugle expressed a concern lest these cautions 
should prevent people from attending their friends or relations when 
afflicted with putrid fevers. I told him I meant only to dicourage 
unnecessary attendance, and mentioned a number of instances where 
putrid fevers had proved fatal to persons, who w*re rather hurtful 
than beneficial to the sick. This sagacious physician agreed with me, 
in thinking thai a good doctor and a careful nurse were the only ne- 
cessary attendants ; and that all others not only endangered themselves, 
but, generally, by their solicitude and ill-directed care, hurt the sick. 



QF THE MILIARY FEFUB. 155 

CHAPTER XXI. 

OF THE MILIARY FEVER. 



THIS fever takes its name from the small pustules or bladders which 
appear on the skin, resembling in shape and size, the seeds of mil- 
let. The pustules are either red or white, and sometimes both are 
mixed together 

The whole body is sometimes covered with pustules ; but they are 
generally more numerous where the sweat is most abundant, as on the 
breast, the back, &c. A gentle sweat, or moisture on the skin, great- 
ly promotes the eruption ; but when the skia is dry, the eruption is 
both more painful and dangerous. 

Sometimes' this is a primary disease ; but it is much ofteoer only a 
symptom of some other malady, as the small pox, measles, ardent, pu- 
trid, or nervous fever, &c. In all these cases it is generally the effect 
of too hot a regimen or medicines. 

The miliary fever chiefly attacks the idle and phlegmatic, or per- 
sons of a relaxed habit. The young and the aged are more liable to it 
than those in the vigour and prime of life. It is also more incident to 
women than men, especially the delicate and the indolent, who neg- 
lecting exercise, keep continually within doors, and live upon weak 
and watery diet. Such females are extremely liable to be seized with 
this disease in childbed, and often lose their lives by it. 

CAUSES.— The miliary fever is sometimes occasioned by violent 
passions or affections of the mind ; as excessive grief, anxiety, thought- 
fulness, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by excessive watching, 
great evacuations, a weak watery diet, raiDy seasons, eating too fre- 
quently of cold, crude, unripe fruits, as plumbs, cherries, cucumbers, 
melons, &c. Impure waters, or provisions which have been spoiled 
by rainy seasons, long keeping, &c. may likewise cause miliary fevers. 
They may also be occasioned by the stoppage of any customary evac- 
uation, as issues, setons, ulcers, the bleeding piles in men, or the meu- 
struel flux in women, &c. 

This disease in child-bed women is sometimes the effect of great 
eostiveness during pregnancy ; it may likewise be occasioned by their 
excessive use of green trash, and other unwholesome things, in which 
pregnant women are too apt to indulge. But its most general cause is 
indolence. Such women as lead a sedentary life, especially during 
pregnancy, and at the same time live grossly, can hardly escape this 
disease in child-bed. Hence it proves extremely fatal to won^en of 
fashion, and likewise to those women in manufacturing towns, who, m 



156 OF THE MILIARY FEFER. 

order to assist their husbands, sit close within doors for almost the whole 
of < Jipir time. But among women who are active and laborious, who 
live in the country, and take sufficient exercise without doors, (his 
disease is very little known. 

SYMPTOMS. — When this is a primary disease, it makes its at- 
tack, like most other eruptive fevers, with a slight shivering, which is 
succeeded by heat, loss of strength, faintishness, sighing, a low quick 
pulse, difficulty of breathing, with great anxiety and oppression cf the 
breast The patient is restless, and sometimes delirious ; the tongue 
appears white, and the hands shake, with often a burninc heat in the 
palms; and in child bed- women the milk generally goes away, and the 
other discharges stop. 

The patient feels an itching or pricking ps'n under the skin, af;rr 
which innumerable small pustules of a red or white colour begin to ap- 
pear. Upon this the symptoms generally abate, the pulse becomes 
more full and soft, the skin grows moister, and the sweat, as the dis- 
ease advances, begins to have a peculiar foetid smell ; the great load 
on the breast, and oppression of the spirits, generally go off, and the 
customary evacuations gradually return. About the sixth or seventh 
day from the eruption, the pustules begin to dry, and fall off, which 
occasions a very disagreeable itching in the skin. 

It is impossible to ascertain the exact time when the pustules will 
either appear or go off. They generally come out on the third or 
fourth day, when the eruption is critical ; but, when symptomatica!, 
they may appear at any time of the disease. 

Sometimes the pustules appear and vanish by turns. When that is 
the case, there is always danger : but when they go in all of a sudden, 
and do not appear again, the danger is very great. 

Jn childbed-women the pustules are commonly at first filled with 
clear water, afterwards they grow yellowish. Sometimes they are 
interspersed with pustules of a red colour. When these only appear, 
the disease goes by the name of a rash 

REGIMEN. — Tn all eruptive fevers of whatever kind, the chief 
point is to prevent the sudden disappearing of the pustules, and to pro- 
mote their maturation. For this purpose the patient must be kept in 
Ftich temperature, as neither to push out the eruption too fast, nor to 
cause it to retreat prematurely. The diet and drink ought therefore 
to be in a moderate degree nourishing and cordial ; but neither strong 
nor heating. The patient's chamber ought neither to he kept too hot 
nor too cold : and he should not be too much covered with clothes. 
Above all, the mind is to be kept easy and cheerful. Nothing so cer- 
tainly makes an eruption go in as fear. 

The food must be weak chicken brotli wit!) bread, panado, sa- 
go, or groat-gruel, &c. to a gill of which may be added a spoonful or 
two gf wine, as the patient's strength requires, with a few grains of salt 
and a little sugar. Good apples roasted or boiled, with other ripe fruit* 
of an opeoing cooling nature may be eaten. 



OF THE MILIARY FEVER. 15? 

The drink may be suited to the state of the patient's strength and. 
spirits. If these be pretty high, the drink ought to be weak ; as water- 
gruel, balm-tea, or the decoction mentioned below.* 

When the patient's spirits are low, and the eruption does not rise suffi- 
ciently, his drink must be a little more generous; as wine-whey or 
small negus ; sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon, and made 
stronger or weaker as circumstances may require. 

Sometimes the miliary fever approaches toward a putrid nature, in 
which case the patient's strength must be supported with generous cordi- 
als, joined with acids; and, if the degree of putrescence be great, the 
Peruvian bark, must be administered. If the head be much affected, 
the body must be kept open by emolient clysters.f 

MEDICINE. — If the food and drink be properly regulated, there 
will be little occasion for medicine in this disease- Should the erup- 
tion however not rise, or the spirits flag, it will not only be necessary to 
support the patient with cordials, but likewise to apply blistering-plas- 
ters. The most proper cordial, in this case, is good wine, which may 
either be taken in the patient's food or drink ; and if there be signs of 
putrescence, the bark and acids may be mixed with wine, as directed 
in the putrid fever. 

* Take two ounces of the shavings of hartshorn, and the same quantity 
of sarsaparilla, boil them in two English quarts of water. To the 
strained decoction add a little white sugar, and let the patient take it 
for his ordinary drink. 

f In the Commekcium Literarifm for the year 1735 we have 
the history of an epidemical Miliary Fever, which raged at Stras- 
burg in the months of November, December, and January ; from which 
•we learn the necessity of a temperate regimen in this malady, and like- 
wise that physicians are not always the first who discover the proper 
treatment of diseases. " This fever made terrible havoc even among 
men of robust constitutions, and all medicine proved in vain. They 
were seized in an instant with a shivering, yawning, stretching, and 
pains in the back, succeeded by a most intense heat ; at the same time 
there was a great loss of strength and appetite. On the seventh or 9th 
day the miliary eruptions appeared, or spots like flea-bites, with great 
anxiety, a delirium, restlessness and tossing in bed. Bleeding was fatal. 
While matters were in this unhappy situation, a midwife of her own ac- 
cord, gave to a patient, in the height of the disease, a clyster of rain 
water and butter without salt, and for his ordinary drink a quart of 
spring water, half a pint of generous wine, the juice of a lemon, and yix 
ounces of the whitest sugar, gently boiled till a scum arose, and this 
with great success ; for the belly was soon loosened, the grievous symp- 
toms vanished, and the patient was restored to his senses, and snatched 
from the jaws of death." This practice was imitated by others with 
the like happy effect. 



158 OF THE REMTTING FEVER. 

Some recommend blistering through the whole course of this disease? 
nnd where Mature flags, and the eruption conies and goes, it may be 
necessary to keep up a stimulus, by a continual succession of small blis- 
tering-plasters ; but we would not recommend above one at a time. If 
however the pulse should sink remarkably, the pustules fall in, and the 
head be affected, ii will be necessary to apply several blistering- plastcre 
to the most sensible parts, as the inside of the legs and thighs, S:c. 

Bleeding is seldom necessary in this disease, and sometimes it does 
much hurt, as it weakens the patient, and depresses his spirits. It is 
therefore never to be attempted unless by the advice of a physician. 
We mention tins, because it has been customary to treat this disease in 
childbed women, by plentiful bleeding, and other evacuations, as if it 
were highly inflammatory. But this practice is generally very un- 
safe. Patients in this situation bear evacuations very ill. And indeed 
the disease seems often to be more of a putrid than of au inflammatory 
nature. 

Though this fever is often occasioned in childbed-women by too 
hot a regimen, yet it would be dangerous to leave that off all of a sud- 
den, and h ;ve recourse to a very cool regimen, and large evacua- 
tions. We have reason to believe, that supporting the patient's spi- 
rits, and promoting the natural evacuations, is here much safer than to 
have recourse to artificial ones, as these, by sinking the spirits, seldom 
fail to increase the danger. 

If the disease proves tedious, or the recovery slow, we would re- 
commend the Peruvian bark, which may either be taken in substance 
or infused in wine or water, as the patient inclines. 

The miliary fever, like other eruptive diseases, requires gentle 
purging, which should not be neglected, as soon as the fever is gone off, 
and the patient's strength will permit. 

To prevent this disease, a pure dry air, sufficient exercise, and 
wholesome food, are necessary. Pregnant women should guard against 
costiveness, and take daily as much exercise as they can bear, avoiding 
all green trashy fruits, and other unwholesome things ; and when in 
childbed, they ought strictly to observe a cool regimen. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



OF THE REMITTING FEVER. 

THIS fever takes its^name from a remission of the symptoms, which 
happens sometime's sooner, and sometimes later, but generally be- 
fore the eighth day. The remission is commonly preceded by a gen- 
tle sweat, after which the patient seems greatly relieved, but in a few 



OF THE REMITTING FEVER. 159 

hours the fever returns. These remissions return at very irregular 
periods, and are sometimes of longer, sometimes of shorter duration : 
The nearer however that the fever approaches to a regular intermit- 
tent, the danger is the less. 

CAUSES. — Remitting fevers prevail in low marshy countries, 
abounding with wood and stagnating waters ; but they prove most fatal 
m places where great heat and moisture are combined, as in some parts 
of Africa, the province of Bengal in the East-Indies, &c. where remit- 
ting fevers are generally of a putrii* kind, and prove very fatal. They 
are most frequent in close calm weather, especially after rainy seasons, 
great inundations, or the like. No age, sex, or constitution is exempt- 
ed from the attack of this fever ; but it chiefly seizes persons of a re- 
laxed habit, who live in low dirty habitatious, breathe an impure stag- 
nating air, take little exercise,-and use unwholesome diet. 

SYMPTOMS. — The first symptoms of this lever, are generally 
yawning, stretching, pain, aad giddiness in the head, with alternate fits 
of heat and cold. Sometimes the patient is affected with a delirium at 
the first attack. There is a pain, and sometimes a swelling, about the 
region of the stomach, the tongue is white, the eyes and skin frequently 
appear yellow, and the patient is often afflicted with bilious vomitings. 
The pulse is sometimes a little hard, but seldom full, and the blood, 
■when let, rarely shows any signs of inflammation. Some patients are 
exceedingly costive, and others are afflicted with a very troublesome 
looseness. 

It is impossible to describe all the symptoms of this disease s as they 
vary according to the situation, the season of the year, and the constitu- 
tion of the patient. They may likewise be greatly changed by the 
method of treatment, and by many other circumstances too tedious to 
mention. Sometimes the bilious symptoms predominate, sometimes the 
nervous, and at other times the putrid. Nor is it at all uncommon to 
find a succession of each of these, or even a complication of them at 
the same time in the same person. 

REGIMEN. — The regimen must be adapted to the prevailing 
symptoms. When there are any signs of inflammation, the diet must be 
sleuder, and the drink weak and diluting. But when any nervous or 
putrid symptoms prevail, it will be necessary to support the patient 
with food and liquors of a more generous nature, such as are recom- 
mended in the immediately preceding fevers. We must however be 
very cautious in the use of things of a heating quality, as this fever 
h frequently changed into a continual by an hot regimen, and improper 
medicines. 

Whatever the symptoms are, the patient ought to be kept cool, qui- 
et, and clean. His apartment, if possible, should be large and frequent- 
ly ventilated by letting in fresh air at the doors and windows. It ought 
likewise to be sprinkled with vinegar, juice of lemon, or the like His 
linen, bed-clothes, &cv should be frequently changed, aad m his ex- 



160 OF THE REMITTING FEVER. 

crements immediately removed. Though these things have been re- 
commeuded before, we thiuk it necessary to repeat them here, as they 
are of more importance to the sick than practitioners are apt to ima- 
gine.* 

MEDICINE. — In order to cure this fever, we must endeavour to 
bring it to a regular intermission. This intention may be promoted 
by bleeding, if there be any signs of inflammation ; but when that i» 
uot the case, bleeding ought by no means to be attempted, as it will 
•weaken the patient and prolong the disease. A vomit however will 
seldom be improper, and is generally of great service. Tweuty or 
thirty grains of ipecacuauha will answer this purpose very well ; but 
where it can be obtained, we would rather recommend a grain or two 
of tartar emetic, with five or six giains of ipecacuanha, to be made 
into a draught, and given for a vomit. This may be repeated once or 
twice at proper intervals, if the sickness or nausea continues. 

The body ought to be kept open either by clysters or gentle laxa- 
tives, as weak infusions of senna and manna, small doses of the leni- 
tive electuary, cream of tartar, tamarinds, stewed prunes, or the like, 
but all strong or drastic purgatives are to be carefully avoided. 

By this course the fever in a few days may generally be brought to 
a pretty regular or distinct iutermission, in which case the Peruvian 
bark may be administered, and it will seldom fail to perfect the cure. — 
It is needless here to repeat the methods of giving the bark, as we 
bave already had occasion frequently to mention them. 

The most likely way to avoid this fever is to use a wholesome and 
nourishing diet, to pay the most scrupulous attention to cleanliness, to 
keep the body warm, to take sufficient exercise, and in hot countries 
to avoid damp situations, night air, evening dews, and the like. In 

* The ingeuious Dr. Lind, of Windsor, in his inaugural dissertation 
concerning the putrid Remitting Fever of Bengal, has the following 
observation : " Iudusia, lodices, ac stragula, saepius sunt mutanda, ac 
ceri exponenda; faeces sordesque quam primum removendae oportet 
etiam ut loca quibus segri decumbent sint 6alubria et aceto conspersa ; 
denique ut aegris cura quanta maxima prospiciatur. Compertum ego 
habeo, medicum hajcsedulo observautem, quiqueea exequi potest nml- 
to magis aegris profuturum, quam medicum peritiorem hisse commodis, 
destitutum." 

" The patient's shirt, bedclothes, and bedding, ought frequently to 
be changed and exposed to the air, and all his excrements immediately 
be removed ; the bed chamber should be well ventilated, and frequent- 
ly sprinkled with vinegar ; in short, every attention should be paid tt» 
the patient. I can affirm, that a physician who puts these in practice 
will much oftener succeed thau one who is even more skilful, but has 
not an opportunity of using these means." 



OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 16) 

countries where it is endemical, the best preventative medicine which 
we can recommend is the best Peruvian bark, which may either be 
chewed, or infused in brandy or wine, &c Some recommend smoak- 
iag tobacco as very beneficial in marshy countries both for the pre- 
vention of this and intermitting fevers. 



CHAPTER XXIIL 

OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 



TO enter into a minute investigation of the disputed Origin of this 
disease, (and whether it be imported and contagious, or Domestic 
and Epidemic) under existing circumstances, would be to assume a 
province, unwarrantable as it regards the present work. 

So early as the year 1699, we learn the existence of Yellow Fe- 
ver in this citv. At that, and for some time subsequent, it was consid- 
ered an infectious distemper, and in 1748, Dr. Lining pronounced it an 
imported disease and contagious. — The most learned of the Faculty 
agree, " That as almost all fevers are generally Epidemic, it is prob- 
able that some matter floating in the atmosphere, and applied to the 
bodies of men, ought to be considered as the remote cause of fevers : 
and these matters present in the atmosphere and thus acting upon men, 
may be considered cither as contagions, (that is, effluvia arising di- 
rectly or originally from the body of a man under a particular disease, 
and exciting the same kind of disease in the body to whom they ate 
applied) or miasmata, that is effluvia arising from other substances 
than the bodies of men, producing a disease in the person to whom 
they are applied"— Hence we may infer, that this latter term embraces 
what is meant by Epidemic when applied to divers places or Endemic 
when we speak of any one place. 

It is however evident, that the terms Epidemic and Contagious are 
so connected, as not to be Capable of an entire disjunction : The effluvia 
arising from other substances than the body of man, contaminating the air, 
and producing disease in persons predisposed— what is the consequence ? 
By the accumulation of disease, a combination of Causes proceeding from 
miasmata, combined with the effluvia arising from the bodies of the dis- 
eased — or in other words, Animal and Vegetable effluvia uniting — ■ 
must of necessity produce a species of contagion or at least a variety. 

Dr. Cullen admits the probability of a variety in contagions. Yet 
observes that though they have now been observed and distinguished 
21 



162 OF THE YELLOW FEVER, 

for many ages, and in mauy different parts of the world, they hare 
been always found to retain the same general character, and to differ 
only in circumstances, that may be imputed to season, climate, and 
other exteraal causes, or to the peculiar constitutions of the several 
persons affected. He rather inclines to admit the probability, that in 
each of these species the contagion is of one Specific nature, which we 
apprehend consists in the union of the two effluvias already mentioned. 
Hence, whenever it can be proved, that any disease has been commu- 
nicated from a combination of these, we may pronounce it contagious, 
and vice versa. 

Then with respect to the Contagious or Non-Contagious nature of 
the Yellow Fever, as it occurred in Charleston, we need only demand, 
has it in any known instance been communicated from one person to an- 
other? The learned and experienced Dr. Ramsay of Charleston, in a 
letter to Dr. Miller of New- York, says " There is but one opinion 
among the Physicians and Inhabitants, and that is, that the disease was 
neither Imported nor Contagious. This was the unanimous sentiment 
of the Medical Society, who in pursuance of it, gave their opinion to 
the Government last summer" (i. e. the summer of 1800) that the rig- 
id enforcement of the quarantine laws was by no means necessary on 
account of the Yellow Fever. " The doctor concludes by observing 
" my private opinion is, that our Yellow Fever is a local disease origi- 
nating in the air of Charleston." Correspondent to this is the opinion 
of Dr. Tucker Harris, communicated to Dr. Currie : " with respect 
to the contagious nature of Yellow Fever, so far as it has occurred in 
this city, there is no instance, which can be cited to induce the small- 
est suspicion thereof. It appears, that not only Europeans and stran- 
gers from different states, who visit our city, take the disease and die, 
without communicating it to the 'physicians, nurses or attendants, but 
that people from the country, strangers to our atmosphere, on coming 
to town, often sicken in their way home, and die in houses on the road; 
yet iu no one instance, hath the disorder been transferred to any of the 
individuals of the family who received them in. This in my opinion, 
is an undeniable and convincing proof of the non-contagious nature of 
the Yellow Fever. Indeed I strongly doubt whether any disease, 
originating from vegetable or marshy miasma, can be contagious 
for as yet it never has been demonstrated : while on the other 
hand I am inclined to believe, that animal, perhaps it would be more 
correct to say Human effluvia, under certain modifications, prove the 
source of all such diseases as are of a contagious kind ; and the ope- 
ration of this contagion is not, as happens in the case of Yellow Fe- 
very confined to the autumnal months, but will exist at any season. 
This may perhaps, serve in some measure, to discriminate between 
Epidemic and contagious disorders, &c." These facts corroborated 
by such high and undoubted testimonies, will establish what I have 



OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 163 

already advanced with regard to the locality of this disease and pro- 
ceed to give the 

Definition. — The Yellow Fever derives its appellation from the 
yellow suffusion which commonly appears in the eyes and on the skin, 
however, as this appearance is not universal, and frequently happening 
in many other cases, the term may not be strictly proper. It was du- 
ring the Revolution, termed Camp-Fever. It appears to be a fever of 
the Typhus kind, and by Dr. Cullen is very properly called Typhus 
icterodes. The term Yellow fever is most generally applied to it, and 
as such we presume it will continue to be handed down to the latest 
posterity. 

CAUSES. — Authors appear to be divided as to the cause of Yel- 
low Fever, which may be collected from what has been already said. 
It is however believed that a particular idiosyncrasy, i. e. constitution 
or derangement of the atmosphere, probably effected by the strong light 
and intense heat of the sun, depriving that portion nearest the earth of 
its proper quautity of vital air, leaving the Mephitic or heavier part 
near to the surface of the earth, forms one not among the least of caus- 
es. The loss of a small portion of vital air renders this lower stratum 
very unfit for respiration, consequently very unwholesome ; when this 
circumstance takes place, and the atmosphere seems vitiated slowly 
and by degrees, the effect of Yellow Fever or indeed any other is not 
so considerable ; in proportion to the suddenness and degree of this idi- 
osyncrasy and vitiated state of the atmosphere, so is the violence of its 
appearance. Marsh miasma, as has been already observed is produc- 
tive of Epidemics, and none deny that contagious disorders are produ- 
ced by the exhalations from putrifying animal and vegetable substan- 
ces. It may also be remarked, that most climates experience an un- 
healthy and pestilential atmosphere, soon or immediately after the ex- 
halations from the putrifying collections of vegetable and animal matter 
begin to rise, which diffusing themselves in the air, bring on diseases of 
different forces of malignity, according to the contaminated state of the 
atmosphere, in conjunction with other predisposing circumstances, and 
that these exhalations are principally produced by heat combined with 
some peculiar state of the atmosphere, is an opinion backed by good 
authority. Dr. Harris, whose opinion I have before taken the liberty 
to introduce, observes, after having objected to the generally assigned 
causes, " I am however decidedly of opinion, that heat combining with 
some unknown modification of the atmosphere of our city, has, in tep 
eut of the last thirteen years, given existence to this dreadful disease." 

SYMPTOMS.— There is little or no difference among authors of 
the present day with regard to these, I have consulted eight or ten of 
the greatest celebrity, and observe an almost unique of opinion-^-Before 
the fever forms itself, the most usual sign of A its approach is a sudden 
and universal pain of the head generally above one or both eyes, which 
3jj.8ome remit with short intervals, causing a giddiness or vertigo, rath- 



164 OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 

er than sharp pain, attended with an unusual feebleness and languor of 
the body. Dr. Rush states among other premonitory symptoms, a 
sudden drying up, or breaking out of an old sore, fresh eruptions in 
different parts of the body ; a cessation of a chronic disease or a coo^ 
veision of a periodical into a continual disease — a peculiar sallowness 
of the complexion — a head ache, a decay or increase of appetite, cos- 
tiveuess ; a diminished or increased secretion of urine, a hot and offen- 
sive breath, constant sweats, and sometimes of a foetid nature, or a dry 
skin; wakefulness, or a disposition to early or protracted sleep, a pre- 
ternaturally frequent pulse; unusual vivacity, or depression of spirits, 
fatigue or sweats from light exertions; the hands when rubbed, emiting 
a smell like hepar (liver) of sulphur, and lastly a sense of burning in 
tin mouth. The fever is commonly ushered iu with alternative slight 
chills and heats, nausea, pains of the head, back, loins, and at the pit of 
the stomach. These symptoms are often followed, in less than 24 
hours with violent retchings and vomiting of a green or yellow bile, the 
smell of which i? very offensive. 

The learned Dr. Mitchel very ingeniously arranges the pathogno- 
mic, (peculiar or always attendant) symptoms of this disease into the 
six following particulars. I A very great and sudden debility with- 
out any manifest cause. 2, A feverish anxiety, generally very griev- 
ous. 3. A short quick and difficult vrthopnaic respiration, (i. e. the 
patient caDnot draw his breath with ease unless in an upright posture) 
after the fever is formed. 4. A contracted deep pulse; the artery feels 
tense, but the pulse is compressible, to which succeeds a depressed, or 
soft and low pulse, after the state of the disease, or alter the yellow effu- 
sion appears. 5. A pain of the scorbiculus cordis, (pit of the stomach) 
either much complained of or to be felt on* squeezing that part ; and 
more or less severe according to the severity of the disease. 6. A 
yellowness' in the eyes, or all over the body at the height of the disease ; 
UDless prevented by colliquative or critical discharges, to which may be 
added, a violent and unusual kind of pain of the head, unless it is drown- 
ed as it were in the more grievous complaint about the pracordia, (the 
vitals or particularly the heart.) The three latter are symptoms most pe- 
culiar to this fever. At other times the patient is attacked with very great 
anxiety, sickness and pain of the stomach, attended with an excessive 
convulsive vomiting, which no medicine seems likely to relieve — After 
the first day the surface of the body is generally either cold, or dry 
and parched, the head-ache and stupor often ending in a delirium which 
proves suddenly fatal in many cases. It is to be observed that the 
vomiting sometimes occurs as early as the first or second day, but more 
commonly on the third, when it brings on hickup, inflammation of the 
stomach and viscera, with a large discharge by vomit of a black atra- 
bilious matter, (anciently denominated black choler) like coffee grounds, 
mixed with a bloody lymph, or coagulated blood. The atrabilious 
humcur is often highly acrid ; sometimes viscid, iu which latter ca^e it 



OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 165 

is villi difficulty ejected, and hence by its great acrimony it renders 
this symptom violent and often fatal. 

We have been thus prolix in describing the symptoms, because we 
think much depends thereon, and indeed much more. might be said did 
•we not presume, a due attention to these, Avould discover to any careful 
observer the premonitory as well as concomitant advances thereof—' 
with regard to Prognostics, we decline advancing any observations, and 
proce«d to the 

REGIMEN". — It may not be amiss to describe under this particu- 
lar, what are considered as preventatives of fever — these are severally 
pointed out by that eminent physician, Dr. Rush. He advises first, 
where it is practicable, the flight of persons exposed to its attack, but 
where this is impracticable, safety should be sought for in such means 
as reduce the preternatural tone and fullness induced in the blood ves- 
sels by the stimulus of the miasmata and the suppression of customary 
secretions. These are, 1 . A diet accommodated to the greater or less 
exposure of the body to the action of the miasmata and to the greater 
or less degree of labour or exercise, which are taken. In cases of great 
exposure to an infected atmosphere, with but little exercise, the diet 
should be simple in its quality and small in its quantity. Fresh meats 
and wiues should be avoided. A little salted meat and Cayenne pep- 
per with vegetables, prevent an undue languor of the stomach, from 
the want of its usual cordial aliments. But where a great deal of ex- 
ercise is taken, broths, a little wine or malt liquors may be used with 
the fruits and garden vegetables of the season with safety and advant- 
age. The change from a full to a low diet should be made gradually. 
When made suddenly it predisposes to an attack of the disease. 

2. Laxative medicines — 3. A plentiful perspiration kept up by means 
of warm clothing and bed-clothes. The excretion which takes place 
by the pores is of the first necessity ; as is a particular attention to clean 
linen or flannel ; and 4. Blood letting. All these depleting remedies, 
whether used separately or together, induce such an artificial debility 
in the system, as disposes it to vibrate more readily under the impress- 
ion of the miasmata. 

A second class of preventatives, are such as obviate the internal ac- 
tion of miasmata, by exciting a general or partial determination to the 
external surface of the body. These are — 1. The warm bath; it 
serves the treble purposes of keeping the skin clean, the pores open, 
and of defending what are called the vital organs from disease, by in- 
viting its remote cause to the external surface of the body. This can- 
not be too highly recommended. 2. The cold bath. 3. Washing the 
body morning and evening with salt water. 4. Anointing the body 
with oil or fresh butter. 5. Issues, setons and blisters. 

A third class of preventatives are such as excite a general action, 
more powerful than that which the miasmata are disposed to create iu 
Jbe system, or an action of a contrary nature. These are — 1. Onions 



166 OF THE YELLOW FEVER. 

and garlic. The liberal use of these condiments in food hath exempted 
all those who used them in 1793, from yellow fever. 2. Calomel ta- 
ken in such small doses as gently to affect the gums. Several other 
controverted or atleast doubtful particulars are enumerated, which we 
pass over in order to point out the necessity of avoiding all its exciting 
causes. These are — 1. Heat and cold: While the former has excited 
the yellow fever in thousands, the latter has excited it in ten thousands. 
It is not in middle latitudes only, that cold awakens this disease in the 
body. 2 The early morning and evening air, even in warm weather. 
3. Fatigue from amusements; such as fishing, gunning, dancing, and 
from unusual labour or exercise. 4. Intemperance in eating and drink- 
ing. 5. Partaking of new aliments and drinks. 6. Violent emotions 
or passions of the mind. 7. The entire cessation of moderate labour. 
9. The continuance of hard labour. These are the principal means 
of prevention which have been enumerated as necessary. The Regi- 
men to be observed after an attack, consists in the following : The pa- 
tient should abstain from animal food; the diet should consist of gruel, 
panado, sago, chicken-broth, and other spoon meats ; he should use cool: 
diluting drinks, such as barley-water, toast and water, lemonade, ap- 
ple tea, tamarind water, hop-tea, and also small quantities of ripe 
fruits, which tend to keep the bowels soluble. The chamber of the 
sick should be spacious and airy, and frequently ventilated through 
the day : vinegar, sprinkled on hot bricks, should be introduced into 
the apartment frequently, and impregnated with aromatic herbs repeat- 
edly sprinkled over the floor, bed-clothes, &c. The passions of the 
mind ought also to be regularly attended to, and the excrements should 
rot be suffered to remain a moment in the apartment. These circum- 
stances are of iufiuile importance, as well to the sick, as to those whd 
frequent them. 

MEDICINE. — Here a particular necessity compels us to be minute 
in our observations. This publication was originally, and is now iatended,. 
as an assistant and guide to Families, and to such as are out of the reach 
of Physicians. Happily for mankind, where this disease prevails, 
there are generally a sufficient number of eminent Physicians. Need we 
observe the importance of an early application to an honest and skilful: 
practitioner ? — Where however this highly prudent plan is neglected, or 
impracticable, we would recommend the following mode of treatment : 
In this fever the first indication is to subdue it by the most speedy 
means in our power. The second is to prevent the putrescent state 
that follows so rapidly after the febrile stage, or to oppose its progress 
vhen begun, and at the same time to support the strength of the patient.. 
The first intention is best accomplished by bleeding and purgatives : 
Weeding is best performed within the first twenty-four hours from an 
attack, or at most within thirty-six. Some practitioners have pointed 
out the exact quantity of blood to be drawn, but; as an implicit attention 
to that rule may subject us to error* we decline the insertion. In geu-- 



OF THE YELLOW FEVER. ]67 

tsral, when the lise of the lancet is indicated, one or more bleedings may- 
be admitted, with a view to alleviate the violent pains of the head, eyes, 
&c. provided it be performed within the time prescribed. In order to 
moderate the violent determination to the head, the feet should be hatr- 
ed in warm water, and an opening clyster administered immediately. 
As obstinate costiveness generally prevails, and the stomach is seldom 
long capable to retain the common purgatives, we ought to improve the 
time to advantage. It may be here observed that if perspiration can 
be promoted soon after the attack, it may be a means to subdue the fe- 
ver : with this view, if there be no inclination to vomit, and the skin 
is dry and parched, the following may be administered to advantage, 
during the iirst twenty-four hours. Take antimonial powder, and cal- 
omel, of each one scruple, syrup enough to make a mass, of which 
eight pills may be made. Four of these may be taken immediately, 
and two more repeated every second or third hour after, till they ei- 
ther procure a due discharge, or free perspiration. Should however 
the first dose occasion a retching or vomiting, we should immediately 
desist and resort to the other means hereafter laid down. If the pre- 
scription operates plentifully by sweat and by stool, the patient will in 
all probability recover, as by this means the fever is often prevented 
from forming itself. Should the stomach not retain the foregoing, forty 
grains of jalap and twenty of calomel, or twenty of calomel with the 
like quantity of Crab's- eyes or magnesia, may be rubbed together, 
and divided into ten powders; one of these maybe given every two 
hours, in a little cold tea, or they may be formed into ten pills, one 
of which to be taken at the same periods, and continued during the 
whole of the febrile stage, or untill the gums are affected. When 
this fortunate circumstance takes place, the medicine must be suspend- 
ed, and nourishment with a little wine given. 2. As bark in substance 
will rarely remain on the stomach, decoctions are to be preferred, 
and as in this stage it is necessary to exert every effort to resist a ten- 
dency to putrefaction, four table spoonsful of the decoction of bark may 
be given every two hours. If the stomach should reject it, or whether 
it does or not, we ought not to neglect repeated clysters of it, acidula- 
ted with vinegar or lime juice, at least every two hours, nor would it 
be amiss to rub the body with vinegar or lime-juice, as often as practi- 
cable. Some have recommended olive or sweet oil for this purpose 
also. Sometimes the strained juice of wood-sorrel given internally and 
by way of clyster, has been attended with good effects in. restraining 
the putrid tendency, and in one instance has been known to check the 
black vomit. Hops, being possessed of great antiseptic properties, an 
infusion of them may be taken in moderate draughts, at proper inter- 
vals. In case of vomiting, a blister applied to the epigastric region, 
particularly the pit of the stomach, is almost alone to be relied on. In 
this fever, an inflammation of the stomach and viscera are almost always 
present, and the tendency to putrescence is so gieat as to exclude the 



16S OF THE COW-POX. 

remedies usually applied in other cases aUended with vomitiog. Her6 
it is essentially and absolutely necessary to avoid all heating medicine. 
Wherefore, if the gums are not already affected, frictions of strong Mer- 
curial ointment, particularly over the hypochondriac and epigastric re- 
gions, may be used ; and if by this means the gums can be affected, a 
cure may be looked for. 

From what has been said we may collect, that the general plan of 
treatment for this Hydra-disease, consists of such remedies, as tend to 
subdue the inflammatory diathesis already pointed out- — Bleeding, 
warm bathing, and purgatives, appear to be the most approved, to which 
may be added blistering and the mercurial friction. Among the pur- 
gatives, calomel appears to claim the preference, aud when timely and 
prudently administered, seldom fails to prove successful. Hence we 
are again induced, earnestly to advise timely application to a Profes- 
sional Character. 

We shall now conclude with some remarks on the treatment of con- 
valescents. They should avoid every thing which may tend to bring 
on a relapse; among these may be reckoned a too early exposure to im- 
proper exercise, food, and drink. They should eat but little at a time, 
and that little should be easy of digestion. Their exercise should be 
gentle, and introduction to the air gradual : morning and night air 
should be avoided at all events. If wine had been used iu the fever, it 
must now be used more sparingly. Bark in substance or decoction, 
should be continued in moderate doses, untill the debilitated system is 
invigorated, the digestive faculty repaired and strengthened, and the 
patient returns to his usual mode of living. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



OF THE COW POX, AND ITS INOCULATION'. 

THE method of inoculating for the small-pox has been retained, as 
having hitherto been successfully practised during a number of 
years; but by a fortunate discovery it is now found, that the infection 
may be introduced in a manner equally successful, and the disease ren- 
dered still less considerable than by the former kind of inoculation. 
This is done by inoculating with matter either taken from a cow affect- 
ed with the disease, or from some person who had received the infect- 
ion originally derived from that animal. It may be proper here to give 
a general account of the manner in which ?o surprising a discovery has 
been made. 



OF THE COW-POX. 169 

In several parts of England, where cows are kept for the purposes 
of the dairy, a peculiar eruptive disease has been occasionally observ- 
ed among the ht>rcl, and which affects in particular the udders and teats 
of those anhnals. It has therefore pretty generally obtaiued the name 
of the cow pox (vaccinia or vacciola.) 

Till within these last two years, the knowledge of this distemper has 
been chiefly confined to the people employed in the dairies, and to far- 
riers and cow-doctors in the neighbourhood; but, by the latter, it ap- 
pears to have been observed with particular accuracy, and they have 
even employed means for its removal. 

It farther appears, that wherever the existence of this disease was 
known, the fact was likewise ascertained, that the disorder is communi- 
cated by the touch to the milkers who handle the teats of the diseased 
cows, and from them again is often spread through a numerous herd : 
that, when affecting the human species, it is not merely confined to the 
local disease of the hands and arms, but also occasions a general indis* 
positiou, often severe, but never fatal, which runs a regular course ; 
and that the person who has once undergone the disease so communica- 
ted, is ever after secure against the infection of the small-pox, either iu 
the natural way by contagion, or by inoculation 

All these circumstances, however though known, as we are told, 
from time immemorial in certain parts of the kingdom, still remained in 
obscurity till within these three years, when Dr. Jenner, of Berkley, 
in Gloucestershire, conceived the important idea of employing the cow- 
pox to annihilate the small- pox, and published several interesting par- 
ticulars concerning this disease, which works have now made it known 
to the publick in general. 

It appears, from observations made by those who are most conver- 
sant with cows, that several causes may produce sores upon the udder 
and teats of this animal, especially such as excite any irritation in those 
parts, during the season when the cows abound most in milk. The 
stinging of flies, or rough handling while milking, and other such exter- 
nal irritations, will often occasion small white blisters on the parts ; 
which never extended more than skin-deep, and are generally easy of 
cure. 

Another, and more serious disorder in those parts, is said to be some- 
times produced by suffering a cow, while in full milking, to remain for 
a day or two unmilked ; in order to distend the udder when naturally- 
small. This, it appears, is a common artifice practiced at fairs ancl 
cattle markets, with the view of increasing the price of the cow, a large 
udder being reckoned an important circumstance in the value of that 
animal. By this cruel and unwarrantable artifice, the vessels that sup- 
ply the udder are kept for an unusual length of time in a state of great 
distention, which terminates frequently iu a violent inflammation of those 
parts, succeeded by large eruptions upon the teats and udder (hat 
sometimes leave deep and troublesome sores. The matter discharged 
22 



I ft OF THE COW-VOX. 

from these ulcer? will communicate a disorder, like the other, into th* 
hands of the milkers, when the skin is broken in any part; and often 
produces foul and extensive ulcers, which sometimes occasion pustules 
on the arms and shoulders, and prove tedious and difficult of cure. 

The genuine cow-pox, however, is a distinct disease from those 
i.diieh have been just mentioned. It generally makes its appearance 
in the spring, and shows itself in irregular pustules on the teats or uip- 
p'.es ofthe udder. They are at first of a palish blue,or rather a livid 
colour, and contain a thin, watery, and sharp fluid. The surround- 
ing parts are inflamed and hardened. These pustules, it seems are 
very apt to degenerate into deep corroding ulcers, which as the cow- 
doctors term it, eat into the flesh, and constantly discharge a matter, 
which commonly increase in thickness, and hardens at last into a scab. 
jYow and then the cow becomes evidently indisposed, loses her appe- 
tite, and gives less milk than usual ; but it often happeos, that the disor- 
der, though severe, is entirely local. 

It appears that the cow-pox never proves fatal to cows, nor is it in- 
fectious in the usual mauner of contagious distempers, but can only be 
communicated to them or to the human species by actually touching 
the matter which proceeds from the sores. Hence, the cows which 
are not in milk escape the disease entirely, though constantly in the 
same field with those that are highly infected ; and it seems to be only 
from the circumstance of the milker handling tho teats of the sound 
cows, after touching the diseased, that the cow-pox ever spreads among 
the herd. 

We are informed that the cow-pox is familiar to the inhabitants of 
the Hundred of Berkley in Gloucestershire. It has likewise been dis- 
in various parts of the counties of V.'ilts, Somersets, Bucking- 
item, Devon, and Hants; iu a few places of Suffolk and Norfolk, 
where it is sometimes called the pap pcx ; and iu Leicestershire and 
Staffordshire. I'Tor is it unfrequent in the very large milk-farms con- 
tiguous to the metropolis on the Middlesex side. It is here observed 
general!; first some cow newly introduced to the herd, and 

is supposed to originate in a sudden change from a poor to a very rich 
and partly unnatural diet which it is the practice to use, in order to 
bring the yield of'milk to i's highest point. 

According to Dr. Jenner, the origin of the cow-pox is ascribed to a 
derivation from the horse. The horse is well known to be subject to 
an inflammation and swelling in the heel, called the grease, from which 
is discharged a very sharp matter, capable of producing irritation and 
ulcers in any other animal to the surface of which k is applied. Jt is 
supposed that this matter is conve}ed to the cow by the men-servants 
of the farm, who in several of the dairy counties, assist in milking. 
One of these, having dressed the horse, goes immediately to his occu- 
pation of milking ; and having upon his hand some particles of the dis- 
eiarge horn the grease, he, of course, applies it to the udder of the cow.. 



OF THE COIF-POX. 171 

^hcre, if the animal be in a state for receiving the infection, it pro- 
duces that specific change in those parts which gives rise to the dis- 
ease of the cow-pox. 

The origin here ascribed to this disorder is principally founded on 
'-(be circumstance, that wherever the cow pox appears, the .grease is 
generally found to have preceded it; aud the opinion of the propaga- 
tion of the disease from the horse to the cow is likewise current in 
some of the dairy counties where the disease is known. Eat this opin- 
ion requires to be ascertained by further observations. 

Thi.i conjecture, respecting lite origin of the cow-pox, was no sooner 
■started by Dr. Jeuner, than attempts were made repeatedly, but with- 
out success, to introduce the disease in the nipple of the cow by direct 
inoculation of the recent matter of the grease from the horse's heeL 
The cousequeuce of this experiment, when it took any effect, was a 
slight inflammation, and the production of a small pustule or pimple, 
but which disappeared in a few days, without exciting the specific dis- 
ease of the pox. .But the failure of these experiments by no means 
overthrows the opinion for the ascertainment of which they were made; 
since it is admitted that a certain predisposition in the constitution of 
the cow to receive the disease is also requisite for its production. 

It is remarked, that the matter discharged from the sores in the 
horse's heel is likewise found to occasion, at times, very troublesome ul- 
cers on the hands of the men that dress them, attended with a very con- 
siderable degree of indisposition; both of which appear to be fujl as 
severe as in the genuine cow-pox, and in many points to resemble this 
'latter disorder. But the person who has been infected by the horse is 
not rendered thereby entirely secure -from afterwards receiving the 
small-pox. 

The pustular sores on the udder and teats of the cow, that constitute 
the genuine cow-pox, whatever be the way in which they are produ- 
ced, are found by experience to possess the power of infecting the hu- 
«nan species, when any part of the body, where the skin is broken, or 
naturally thin, comes into actual contact with the matter which they dis- 
charge. Hence it is, that with the milkers, the hands are the parts 
that acquire this disorder accidentally, and it there exhibits the follow- 
ing appearances : Inflamed spots begin to appear on the hands, wrists, 
and especially the joints and tips of the fingers; and these spots at first 
resemble the small blisters of a burn, but quickly proceed to suppura- 
tion. The pustule is quite circular, depressed in the middle, and of a 
blueish colour, and is surrounded with a considerable redness. The 
blue colour which the pustule almost invariably assumes, when the dis- 
order is communicated directly from the cow, is one of the most cha- 
racteristic marks by which the cow-pox may be distinguished from 
other diseases Avhich the milkers are likewise liable to receive from the 
cow. The matter of the pustule is at first thin and colourless; but, as 
Ifee disorder advances, it becomes yellower and more purulent. In -a 



172 OF THE COW-POX. 

few days from the first eruption, a tenderness and swelling of the glands 
in the artp pit come on, and soon after the whole consthution becomes 
disordered, the pulse is increased in quickness, shivering succeed, with 
a senses of weariness, and pains about the loins, vomiting, head-ach, and 
sometimes a slight degree of delirium. 

These symptoms continue with more or less violence from one day 
to three or four, aud, when they abate, they leave sores about the 
hands, which heal very slowly; resembling, in this respect, the ulcers 
on the nipple of the cow, from which they derive their origin. 

i 'v= to oe oi served, that the cow-pox eruption, though very severe 
on the hands, and occasioning much general illness, never produces a 
crop of pustules over disiant parts of the body, arising spontaneously, 
as in the small-pox. It often happens, however, that pustules are form- 
ed in various parts which accideutly come in contact with the diseased 
hands, as on the nostrils, lips, and other parts of the face where tl 
16 thin; or sometimes on the forehead, when the milker leans with that 
part upon the udder of an infected cow. From this account it appears, 
that the cow-pox as it affects the milkers, or what may be termed the 
c -sua' cow-pox in the human specie?, is often a severe disorder, some- 
times confining the patient to his bed during the period of fever, and 
generally leaving troublesome sores, but it has never been known to 
prove fatal ; nw are these sores, if properly attended to followed with 
any lasting injury of the affected parts, though they sometimes leave 
scars for life. 

In conseque-ice of the close investigation which this disorder has late- 
ly i rg< m , the following facts may be considered as fully ascertain- 
ed by the fairest experiments and most accurate observations : 

First. — The cow-pox,- in its natural state, or when propagated im- 
mediately from an infected cow. to the hands of the milkers, is capable 
of affecting the human species from one to another repeatedly to an in- 
definite number of times ; but after the first attack, it is generally much 
milder in its symptoms, and in particular it is much less liable to produce 
the fever and general indisposition which always attend the first infection. 
There are instances, however, where the second and even third attack 
have been as severe in every respect as the first ; but these are very 
rare. 

secondly — The small-pox in a considerable degree secures a person 
from the infection of the cow pox ; and in this rtspect appears to act 
in a manner very similar to a previous attack of the latter disease ; 
that is, to confine its operation to the forming of local pustules, but 
unattended with general fever. Hence it is, that where all the serv- 
ants of the dairy take the. infection from the cows, those of them who 
have previously undergone the small pox are often the only persons 
among them able to go through the usual work. 

Thirdly — The cow-pox, in its genuine state, when it has been ac- 
companied with general fever, and has run its regular course, ever zU 



OF THE COW-POX. 173 

fcer preserves the person who has been infected with it from receiving 
the infection of the small-pox. This assertion is, however, to be taken 
with exactly the same limitations as that of re-infection with the small- 
pox preventing a second attack of the same disease. Wo previous in- 
fection will entirely counteract the local effect on the arm, produced by 
the insertion of variolous matter in common inoculation : this may in a 
few cabes go so far as to induce a degree of general fever, slight indeed, 
but perhaps equal to that of the mildest indisposition caused by a first 
infection with this disorder. By the inoculation of either disease, how- 
ever, the small-pox is equally and completely disarmed of its virulence 
against any subsequent attack, which is the circumstance that so much 
distinguishes and so strongly recommends this operation. 

Fourthly. — A comparison of the two diseases in respect of the mild- 
ness of their symptoms, and the hazard to life which they may occasion, 
wili show a very great advantage in favour of the cow-pox. Compa- 
red with the natural small pox, the natural or casual cow-pox is both 
milder and infinitely more safe ; no instance having ever been known 
of a fatal event in the cow-pox, so far as it effects the people employed 
in the dairies. When both diseases are introduced by artificial inocu- 
lation, they are each rendered much less severe; and here too the su- 
periority of the cow-pox as a safer aud milder disease is extremely evi- 
dent. 

Fifthly. — The cow-pox, even in its most virulent slate, is not commu- 
nicable by the air, nor by any other of the ordinary means of conta- 
gion, but can only be propagated, by the actual contact of matter of a 
pustule from the cow-pox with some part of the body of the person who* 
receives it. It is not yet ascertained, whether in all cases an insertion 
of specific infectious matter under the skin be necessary ; but in its most 
active state, as it is when formed in the cow's udder, the skin which 
covers the lips and nostrils readily receives the infection Avithout being 
broken. In this respect the contagion of the cow-pox seems to equal 
that of the small-pox in activity; but the striking difference between 
the two diseases in the cow-pox not being communicated by the air. &c. 
is a circumstance fully aud satisfactorily ascertained. In the dairy- 
farms, infected servants sleep with the uninfected : infants at the breast 
have remained with their mothers whilst only one of the two have had 
the disorder upon them ; and in no instance has the disease of one been 
communicated by contagion to the other- It is this circumstance which 
gives the cow-pox its decided superiority ; since, by adopting this dis- 
ease instead of the small-pox, all the dread and all the mischief Occa- 
sioned by the contagion of the latter are entirely removed. 

The inoculated cow-pox appears to have almost as great a superiori- 
ty in point of mildness and security over the ordinary inoculation of the 
small-pox, as this has over the natural small- pox; so that the same pre- 
cautions which would be highly requisite in communicating the latter 
becomes less so where the disorder is to be introduced by inoculation % 



Hi OF THE COW-POt. 

and still less where the cow-pox is substituted iu the room of the other.. 

With regard to the metitod of performing inoculation in the Cow-pox^ 
Dr. Woodville, whose industry, judgment, and accuracy, appear to 
*reat advantage iu his observations on this subject, advises "that the 
Bfccei should be held nearly at a right angle with the skin, in order that 
the infectious fluid may gravitate to the point of the instrument, which, 
an this direction, should be made to scratch the cuticle repeatedly, un- 
til it reach the true skin and become tinged with blood." 

The act of inoculation having been performed, the first proof of its 
success is a small inflamed spot at the part where the puncture has 
fetsen Wade, which is very distinguishable about the third day. This 
continues to increase in size, becomes hard, and a small circular hi, 
mour is formed, rising a little above the skiu. About the sixth day 
<he centre of the tumour shows a discoloured speck, owing to the form- 
ation of a smV.l quantity of fluid; and tins couiioues to increase, and 
the pustule or pimple to til!, till about the tenth day. 

After the eighth day, when the pustule is fully formed, the effects 
an the coosStution begin to show themselves; the general indisposition 
being commonly preceded by pain at the istule and in the arm-pit, 
followed by head-ach, some shivering, loss of appetite, pain in the limbs 
and a feverish inci These co linue, with more or 

|, or two ilays, and always abate of their own ac- 

cord, without leaving any unpleasant consequence behindihem. ^ 

During, or a little after the general indisposition, the pustule in the 
arm, which had been advancing in a regular manner, becomes sur- 
rounded with a*road circular inflamed margin, and this is a sign that 
the body iu general is affected. After this period, the fluid in tlie 
pustule gradually dries up, the surrounding redness becomes fainter, 
and in a day or two vanishes imperceptibly; whilst the pustule no 
longer increases in extent, but on its surface a hard thick scab of a 
brown colour is formed, which if not pulled off, remains for nearly a 
fortnight ; till at length it fells off, leaving the skin beneath pertectly 
couud and uninjured. , 

It is a circumstance of great importance iu favour of this method ot 
inoculation, that though some attention in choosing the matter for 
inoculation, and performing this slight operation in such a manner as to 
insure success, be requisite, very little medical treatment is necessary 
in order to conduct the patient through it with perfect safety. Iu 
most cases it is attended with so little fever as scarcely to be detected 
fey an attentive observer. 

To conclude this account of the cow-pox with a repetition of the 
circumstances which gives it a decided superiority over the small- 
pox, iir. Woodville affirms (and his authority is unquestionable) that 
of all the parents whom he inoculated with the variolous matter, alter 
they had passed through the cow pos, amounting to upwards of four 
tmadrcc], sot one was affected with the small-pox, though purposely 

7) > \ . ■■■■r 

< 5? ■ tfs M> 



OF THE MEASLES. 175 

afiri repeatedly exposed to the infection of the disease ; and what is not 
less extraordinary, nearly a fourth part of this number were so blig : ■■ - 
ly affected with the cow-pox, that it neither produced any perceptible 
indisposition, nor pustules. 

From the beginning of the world, the cow, has, in all countries, beea 
esteemed a valuable animal. Besides cultivating the grouud which her 
species performs, she supplies us with an aliment of her own preparing, 
the most wholesome as well as nourishing in nature; but never befoie 
was it known, except, as appears in some particular districts in Eng- 
land, that even from a disease to which she is liable, she can likewise 
be further useful in preserving us from one of the most fatal calamities 
that ever infested human kind. 



CHAPTER XXV* 

OF THE MEASLES. 



THE measles appeared in Europe about the same time with ths 
small pox, and have a great affinity to that disease. They both 
came from the same quarter of the world, are both infectious, and sel- 
dom attack the same person more than once. The measles are most 
common in the spring season, and generally disappear in summer. The 
disease itself, when properly managed^ seldom proves fatal j but its con- 
sequences are often very troublesome. 

CAUSE. — .This disease, like the small-pox, proceeds from infection, 
and is more or less dangerous according to the constitution of the pa- 
tient, the season of the year, climate, &c. 

SYMPTOMS. — The measles, like other fevers, are preceded by 
alternate fits of heat and cold, with sickness and loss of appetite. The 
tongue is white, but generally moist. There is a short cough, heavi- 
ness of the head and eyes, drowsiness, and a running at the nose- Some- 
times indeed the cough does not come before the eruption has appear- 
ed. There is an inflammation and heat in the eyes, accompanied with 
a defluxioa of sharp rheum, and great acuteness of sensation, so that 
they cannot bear the light without pain. The eye-lids frequently swell 
so as to occasion blindness. The patient generally complains of his 
throat ; and a vomitiDg or looseness often precedes the eruption. The 
stools in children are commonly greenish ; they complain of an itching 
©f the skin, and are remarkably peevish. Bleeding at the nose is com- 
siou, both before and ia the progress of the disease.- 



176 OF THE MEASLES. 

About the fourth ihj, small spots resembling flea-bites, appear, first 
upon the face, then upon the breast, ami afterwards on the extremi- 
ties: these may be distinguished from the smallpox by their scarcely 
rising above the skin. The fever, cough, and difficulty of breathiug, 
iustead of being removed by the eruption as in the small- pox, are rath- 
er increased ; but the vomiting generally ceases. 

On the sixth or seventh day from the time of sickening, the measles 
begin to turu pale on the face, and afterwards upon the body ; so that 
by the ninth day they entirely disappear. The fever, however, and 
difficulty of breathiog, often continue, and especially if the patient has 
beeu kept upon too hot a regimen. Petechia;, or purple spots, may 
likewise be occasioned by this error. 

A violent looseness sometimes succeeds the measles, in which case 
the patient's life is in imminent danger. 

Such as die of the measles, generally expire about the ninth day 
from the invasion, and arc commonly carried off by a peripneumonyj 
or inflammation of the lungs. 

The most favourable symptoms are a moderate looseness, a moist 
skin, and a pleutiful discharge of urine. 

When the eruption suddenly falls in, and the patient is seized with a 
delirium, he is in the greatest danger. If the measles turn too soon of 
a pale colour, it is an unfavourable symptom, as are also great weak- 
ness, vomiting, restlessness, and difficulty of swallowing. Purple or 
black spots appearing among the measles are very unfavourable. When 
a. continual cough, with hoarseness, succeeds the disease, there is rea- 
son to suspect an approaching consumption of the lungs. 

Our business in this disease is to assist nature, by proper cordials, 
in throwing out the eruption, if her efforts be too languid ; but when 
they are too violent they must be restrained by evacuations, and cool 
diluting liquors, &c. We ought likewise to endeavour to appease the 
most urgent symptoms, as the cough, restlessness, and difficulty of 
breathing. 

REGIMEN. — The cool regimen is necessary here as well as in the 
small-pox. The food too must be light, and the drink diluting. Acids, 
however, do not answer so well in the measles as in the small-pox, as 
they tend to exasperate the cough. Small beer likewise, though a good 
drink in the small-pox, is here improper. The most suitable liquors 
are decoctions of liquorice, with marsh mallow roots and sarsaparilla, 
infusions of linseed, or of the flowers of elder, balm tea, clarified whey, 
barley-water, and such like. These, if the patient is costive, may be 
sweetened with honey ; or, if that should disagree with the stomach, a 
little manna may occasionally be added to them. 

MEDICINE. — The measles being an inflammatory disease, with- 
out any critical discharge of matter, as in the small-pox, bleeding is 
commonly neeeusary, (specially when the fever runs high, with difficul- 



OF THE MEASLES. Ill 

ty of breathing, and great oppression of the breast. But if the disease 
be of a mild kind, bleeding may be omitted* 

Bathing the feet and legs frequently in lukewarm, water, both tends 
to abate the violence of the fever, and to promote the eruption. 

The patient is often greatly relieved by vomiting. ' When there is a 
tendency this way, it ought to be promoted by drinking luke-warm wa- 
ter, 01 weak camomile tea. 

, When the cough is very troublesome, with dryness of the throat, and 
difficulty of breathing, the patient may hold his head over the steam of 
warm water, and draw the steam into his lungs. 

He may likewise lick a little spermaceti and sugar candy pounded 
together; or take now and then a spoonful of the oil of sweet almonds, 
with sugar candy dissolved in it. These will soften the throat, and re- 
lieve the tickling cough. 

If at the turn of the disease the fever assumes new vigour, and there 
appears great danger of suffocation, the patient must be bled according 
to his streugth, and blistering-plasters applied, with a view to prevent 
the load from being thrown on the luags, where if an inflammation should 
fix itself, the patient's life will be in imminent danger. 

In case the measles should suddenly disappear, it will be necessary 
to pursue the same method which we have recommended when the small' 
pox recede. The patient must be supported with wine and cordials. 
Blistering plasters must be applied to the legs and arms, and the body- 
rubbed ^U over with warm flannels. Warm poultices may likewise be 
applied to the feet and palms of the hands. 

When purple or black spots appear, the patient's drink should be 
sharpened with spirits of vitriol ; and if the putrid symptoms increase, 
the Peruvian bark must be administered in the same manner as direct- 
ed in the small-pox. 

Opiates are sometimes necessary, but should never be given except 
in cases of extreme restlessness, a violent looseness, or when the cough, 
is very troublesome. For children, the syrup of poppies is sufficient. 
A tea-spoonful or two may be occasionally given according to the pa- 
tient's age, or the violence of the symptoms. 

After the measles are gone off, the patient ought to be purged. This 
may be conducted in the same manner as directed in the small-pox. 

If a violent looseness succeeds the measles, it may be checked by 
taking for some days a gentle dose of rhubarb in the morning, and an 
opiate over night; but if these do not remove it, bleeding will seldom 
fail to have that effect 

Patients recovering after the measles should be careful what they 
gat or drink. Their food for some time ought to be light, and in small 



* I do not know any disease wherein bleeding is more necessary than 
in the measles, especially when the fever runs high : ia this case I have 
always found it relieve the patient. 
23 



173 OF THE SCARLET FEVER. 

quantities, and their drink diluting, and rather of an opening nature, »• 
butter -milk, whey, and such like. They ought also to beware of ess- 
pcsing themselves too soon to the cold air, least a suffocating catarrh, 
an asthma, or a consumption of the lungs, should ensue. 

Should a cough, with difficulty of breathing, and other symptoms of 
a consumption, remain after the measles, small quantities of blood may 
be frequently let at proper intervals, as the patieut's strength and con- 
stitution will permit. He ought likewise to drink asses milk, to re- 
move to a free air, if in a large town, and to ride daily on horseback. 
He must keep close to a diet consisting of milk and vegetables ; and 
lastly, if theae do not succeed, let him remove to a warmer climate.* 

OF THE SCARLET FEVER. 

THE scarlet fever iff so called from the colour of the patient's skin, 
which appeals as if it were tinged with red wine. It happens at any 
season of the year, but is most common towards the end of summer ; at 
which time it often seizes whole families; children and young persons 
are most subject to it. 

It begins like other fevers, with coldness and shivering, without any 
violent sickness. Afterwards the skin is covered with red spots, which 
are broader, more florid, and less uniform than the measles. They 
continue two or three days, and then disappear; after which the cuti- 
cle, or scarf-skin falls off. 

There is seldom any occasion for medicine in this disease. The pa- 
tient ought however to keep within doors, to abstain from flesh, strong 
liquors, and cordials, and to drink freely of cool and diluting liquors. If 

* Attempts have been made to communicate the measles, as well as 
the smallpox, by inoculation, and we make no doubt but in time the 
practice may succeed. Dr. Home of Edinburgh, says, he communi- 
cated the disease by the blood. Others have tried this method, and 
have not found it succeed. Some think the disease would be more cer- 
tainly communicated by rubbing the skin of the patient who has the 
measles with cotton, and afterwards applying the cotton to a wound as 
iu the small-pox ; while others recommend a bit of flannel which had 
been applied to the patient's skin all the time of the disease, to be after- 
wards laid upon the arm or leg of the person to whom the infection is to 
be communicated. There is no doubt but this disease, as well as the 
small-pox, may be communicated various ways; the most probable, 
however, is either from cotton rubbed upon the skin, as mentioned 
above, or by introducing a little of the sharp humour which distills 
from the eyes of the patient into the blood. It is agreed on all hands, 
that such patients as have been inoculated, had the disease very mild- 
ly ; we therefore wish the practice were wore general, as the measles 
have of late become very fata!. 



OF THE BILIOUS FEVER. I7ft 

nfch.e fever runs high, the body must be kept gently open by emolient 
■clysters, or small doses of nitre and rhubarb. A scruple of the form- 
er, with five grains of the latter, may be taken thrice a-day, or ofteuer., 
if necessary. 

Children and young persons are sometimes seized at the beginning 
of this disease with a kind of stupor and epileptic fits. In this case the 
feet and legs should be bathed in warm water, a large blistering-plast- 
er applied to the neck, and a dose of the syrup of poppies given eve- 
ry night till the patient recovers.* 

The scarlet fever however is not always of so mild a nature. It is 
sometimes attended with putrid or malignant symptoms, in which case 
it is always dangerous. In the malignant scarlet fever the patient is 
not only affected with coldness and shivering, but with languor, sick- 
ness, and great oppression ; to these succeed excessive heat, nausea, and 
vomiting, with a soreuess of the throat ; the pulse is extremely quick, 
but small and depressed; the breathing frequent and laborious; the 
skin, hot, but not quite dry; the tongue moist, and covered with a 
whitish mucus ; the tonsils inflamed and ulcerated. When the erup- 
tion appears, it brings no relief: on the contrary, the symptoms gener- 
ally grow worse, and fresh ones come on, as purging, delirium, &c. 

When this disease is mistaken for a simple inflammation, and treated 
with repeated bleedings, purging and cooling medicines, it generally 
proves fatal. The only medicines that can be depended on in this 
case, are cordials and antiseptics, as the Peruvian bark, wine, snake- 
root, and the like. The treatment must be in general similar to that of 
the putrid fever, or of the malignant ulcerous sore throat.f 

OF THE BILIOUS FEVER. 

WHEN a continual, remitting, or intermitting fever is accompanied 
'with a frequent or copious evacuation of bile, either by vomit or stool, 
the fever is denominated bilious. In Britain the bilious fever general- 
ly makes its appearauce about the end of summer, and ceases towards 
the approach of winter. It is most frequent and fatal in warm coun- 
tries, especially where the soil is marshy, and when great rains are 
succeeded by sultry heats. Persons who work without doors, lie in 

* Sydenham. 

t In the year 1774, during winter, a very bad species of this fever 
prevailed in Edinburgh. It raged chiefly among young people. The 
eruption was generally accompanied with a quinsey, and the inflamma- 
tory symptoms were so blended with others of a putrid nature, as to 
render the treatment of the disease very difficult. Many of the pa- 
tients, towards the decline of the fever, were afflicted with large swell- 
ings of the submaxillary glands, and not a few had a suppuration in oae 
•r both ears. 



18© OF THE ERYSIPELAS, 

camps, or who are exposed to the night air, are most liable to this kirn? 
of fever. 

If there are symptoms of inflammation at the beginning of this fever, 
it wj!l b»i necessary to bleed, and to put the patient upon the cool dilu- 
ting regimen recommended in tb^ inflammatory fever. The saline 
drauglr may likewise be frequently administered, and the patient's 
b»<l;r kept open by clysters or mild purgatives. But if the fever should 
remit or intermit, bleeding will seldom be necessary. In this case a 
vomit may be administered, and if the bsdy be bound, a gentle purge y 
after which the Peruvian bark will generally complete the cure. 

In case of a violent looseness, tb<= patient roust be supported with 
chicken broths, jellies of hartshorn, and the like ; and he may use the 
white decoction for his ordinary drink. If a bloody flux should ac- 
company this fever, it must be treated in the manner recommended un- 
der the article Dysentery. 

When there is a burning heat, and the patient does not sweat, that 
evacuation may be promoted by giving him, three or four times a-day, 
a table-spoonful of Miudererus' spirit, mixed in a cup of his ordinary 
drink. 

It the bilious fever be attended with the nervous, malignant, or pu- 
trid svmptoms, which is sometimes the case, the patient must be treated 
in the same manner as directed under these diseases 

After this fever, proper care is necessary to prevent a relapse. For 
this purpose the patient, especially towards the end of autumn, ought 
to continue the use of the Peruvian bark for some time after he is well. 
He should likewise abstain from all trashy fruits, new liquors, and eT* 
ery kind of flatulent aliment, 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

OF THE ERYSIPELAS, OR ST. AJSTHONY'S FIRE. 



THIS disease which in seme parts of Britain is called the rose, at- 
tacks persons at any period of life, but is most common between 
the age of thirty and forty. Persons of a sanguine c: -plethoric habit 
are most liable to it. It often attacks young people, and pregnant wo- 
men ; and such as have once been afflicted with it are very liable to 
have it again. Sometimes it is a pvimaiy disease, and at other times 
only a symptom of some other malady. Every part of the body is li- 
able to be attacked by ao erysipelas, but it most frequently series the 



OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE. ni 

legs or face, especially the latter. It is most common in autumn, or 
when hoi weather is succeeded by cold and wet. 

CAUSES — The erysipelas may be occasioned by violent passions 
or affections of the mind ; as fear, angntr, &c. When the body has 
been heated to a great degree, and is immediately exposed to the cold 
air, so that the perspiration is suddenly checked, an erysipelas will 
often ensue. # It may also be occasioned by drinking to excess, by 
continuing too long in a warm bath, or by any thing that overheats the 
blood. If any of the natural evacuations be obstructed, or in too small 
quantity, it may cause an erysipelas. The same effect will follow 
from the stoppage of artificial evacuations ; as issues, setons, or the 
like 

SYMPTOMS — The erysipelas attacks with shivering, thirst, loss 
of strength, pain in the head and back, heat, restlessness, and a quick 
pulse ; to which may be added vomiting, and sometimes a delirium. 
On the second, third or fourth day, the part swells, becomes red, and 
small pustules appear ; at which time the fever generally abates. 

When the erysipelas seizes the foot, the parts contiguous swell, the 
gkin shines ; and. if the pain be violent, it will ascend to the leg, and 
will not bear to be touched. 

When it attacks the face, it swells, appears red, and the skin is cov- 
ered with small pustules filled with clear water. One or both eyes are 
generally closed with the swelling ; and there is a difficulty of breath- 
ing. If the mouth and nostrils be very dry, and the patient drowsy, 
there is reason to suspect an inflammation of the brain. 

If the erysipelas affects the breast, it swells and becomes exceed- 
ingly hard, with great pain, and is apt to suppurate. There is a violent 
pain in the arm-pit, on the side affected, where an abscess is often for- 
med. 

If in a day or two the swelling subsides, the heat and pain abate, the 
colour of the part turns yellow, and the cuticle breaks and falls off in 
scales, the danger is over. 

When the erysipelas is large, deep, and affects a very sensible part 
of the body, the danger is great. 1 1 the red colour changes into a liv- 
id or black, it will end in a mortification. Sometimes the inflamma. 
tion cannot be discussed, but comes to a suppuration; in which case 
fistulas, a gangrene, or mortification, often ensue, 

# The country people in many parts of Britain call this disease a 
Mast, and imagine it proceeds from toul air, or ill wind, as they term 
it. The truth is they often lie down to rest when warm and fatigued, 
upon the damp ground, where they fall asleep, and lie so long as to 
catch cold, which occasions the erysipelas. This disease may indeed 
proceed from' other causes, but we may venture to say, that nine limes 
out of ten it is occasioned by cold caught after the body has been 
greatly heated or fatigued. 



1*2 OF THE ERYSIPELAS, 

Such as die of this disease are commonly carried off by the fever* 
■which is attended with difficulty of breathing, and sometimes wi.h a de- 
lirium and great drowsiness. They generally die about the seventh or 
eighth day. 

REGIMEN. — In the erysipelas the patient must neither be kept 
too hot nor cold, as either of these extremes will tend to make it re- 
treat, which is always to be guarded against. When the disease is 
BlHd, it will be sufficient to keep the patient within doors, without cofi- 
fiaiog him to his bed, and to promote the perspiration by diluting li- 
quors, &c. 

The diet ought to be slender, and of a moderately cooling and moist- 
ening quality, as groat-gruel, panado, chicken or barley broth, with 
cooling herbs and fruits, &c. avoiding flesh, fish, strong drink, spices, 
pickles, and all other things that may heat and inflame the blood ; the 
drink may be barley-water, an infusion of elder flowers, common whey, 
and such like. 

But if the pulse be low, and the spirits sunk, the patient must be 
supported with negus, and other things of a cordial nature. His food 
may be sago gruel with a little wine and nourishing broths taken in small 
quantities, and often repeated. Great care however must be taken not 
to overheat him. 

MEDICINE— In this disease much mischief is often done by med- 
icine, especially by external applications. People, when they see an 
inflammation, immediately think that something ought to be applied to 
3t. This indeed is necessary in large phlegmons; but in an erysipelas 
the safer course is to apply nothing. Almost all ointments, salves, and 
plasters, being of a greasy nature, tend rather to obstruct and repel, than 
promote any discharge from the part. At the beginning of this dis- 
ease it is neither safe to promote a suppuration, nor to repel the matter 
loo quickly. The erysipelas in many respects resembles the gout, and 
5s to be treated with the greatest caution. Fine wool, or very soft 
flannel, are the safest applications to the part. These not only defend 
it from the external air, but likewise promote the perspiration which 
lias a great tendency to carry off the disease. In Scotland the com- 
mon people generally apply a mealy cloth to the parts affected, which 
Is far from being improper. 

It is common to bleed in 4he erysipelas; but this likewise requires 
caution. If however the fever be high, the pulse hard and strong, and 
the patient vigorous, it will be proper to bleed ; but the quantity must 
be regulated by these circumstances, and the operation repeated as the 
symptoms may require. If the patient has been accustomed to strong 
liquors, and the disease attacks his head, bleeding is absolutely neces- 
sary. 

Bathiogthe feet and legs frequently in lukewarm water, when the 
disease attacks the face or brain, has an excellent effect. It tends to 
•wake a derivation from the head, and seldom fails to relieve the par 



OR ST. ANTHONTS FIRE. i«g 

tfent. When bathing proves ineffectual, poultices, or sharp sinapisms, 
may be applied to the soles ot the feet, for the same purpose. 

In cases where bleeding is requisite, it is likewise necessary to keep 
the body open. This may be effected by emolient clysters, or smalt 
doses of nitre and rhubarb. Some indeed recommend very large do- 
ses of nitre iu the erysipelas ; but nitre seldom sits easy on the stomach 
when taken in large doses. It is however one of the best medicines 
when the fever and inflammation run high. Half a drachm of it, with 
four or five grains of rhubarb, may be taken iu the patient's ordinary 
drink, four times a-day. 

When the erysipelas leaves the extremities, and seizes the head s© 
as to occasion a delirium or stupor, it is absolutely necessary to open 
the body. If clysters and milk purgatives fail to have this effect, 
stronger ones must be given. Blistering- plasters must likewise be ap- 
plied to the neck, or behind the ears, and sharp cataplasms laid to the 
soles of the feet. 

When the inflammation cannot be discussed, and the part has a ten- 
dency to ulcerate, it will then be proper to promote suppuration, which 
may be done by the application of ripening poultices wkh saffron, warm 
fomentations, and 1 such like. 

When the black, livid, or blue colour of the part shows a tendency 
to mortification, the Peruvian bark must be administered. It may be 
taken along with acids, as recommended in the small pox, or in any 
other form more agreeable to the patient. It must not however be tri- 
fled with, as the patient's life is at stake. A drachm may be given ev- 
ery two hours, if the symptoms be threatening, and cloths dipped in 
warm camphorated spirits of wine, or the tincture of myrrh and aloes, 
may be applied to the part, and frequently renewed. It may likewise 
be proper in this case to apply poultices of the bark, or to foment the 
part affected with a strong decoction of it. 

In what is commonly called the scorbutic erysipelas, which contin- 
ues for a considerable time, it will only be necessary to give gentle lax- 
atives, and such things as purify the blood and promote the perspira- 
tibn. Thus, after the inflammation has been checked by opening med- 
icines, the decoction of woods may be drank, after which a course of 
bitters will be proper. 

Such as are liable to frequent attacks of the erysipelas ought care- 
fully to guard against all violent passions, to abstain from strong liquors, 
and all fat, viscid, and highly nourishing food. They should likewise 
take sufficient exercise, carefully avoiding the extremes of heat or 
cold. Their food should consist chiefly of milk, and such fruits, herbs, 
and roots, as are of a cooling quality, and their drink ought to be small 
beer, whey, butter-milk, and such like.— They should never suffer 
themselves to be long costive, If that cannot be prevented by saita^ 
ble diet, it will be proper to take frequently a gentle dose ef rhubarb, 
©ream of tartar, the lenitive electuary, or some other raild purgative,. 



18*- OF THE PHRBXITL% 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



OF THE PHRENITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE 
BRAIN. 

THIS is sometimes a primary disease, but oftener only a symptom 
of some other malady ; as the inflammatory, eruptive, or spotted 
fever, &c. It is very common, however, as a primary disease in warm 
climates, and is most incident to persons about the prime or vigour of 
life. The passionate, the studious, and those whose nervous system 
is irritable in a high decree, are most liable to it. 

CAUSES — This disease is often occasioned by night watching, es- 
pecially when joined with hard study, it may likewise proceed from 
hard drinking, anger, grief, or anxiety. It is often occasioned by the 
stoppage of usual evacuations; as the bleeding piles in men, the custo- 
mary discharges of women, &c. Such as imprudently expose them- 
selves to the heat of the sun, especially by sleeping without doors, in a 
hot season, with their heads uncovered, are often suddenly seized with 
an inflammation of the brain, so as to awake quite delirious. When 
repellents are imprudently used in an erysipelas, an inflammation of 
the brain is sometimes the consequence. It may likewise be occasion- 
ed by external injuries, as blows or bruises upon the head, Sec. 

SYMPTOMS. — The symptoms which usually proceed a true in- 
flammationof the brain, are pain of the head, redness of the eyes, a violent 
flushing of the face, disturbed sleep, or a total want of it, great dry- 
ness of the skin, costiveness, a retention of urine, a small dropping of 
blood from the nose, singing of the ears, and extreme sensibility of the 
nervous system. 

When the inflammation is formed, the symptoms in general are simi- 
lar to those of the inflammatory fever. The pulse indeed is often weak, 
irregular, and trembling; but sometimes it is hard and contracted. 
When the brain itself is inflamed, the pulse is always soft and low ; but 
when the inflammation only affects the integuments of the brain, viz. the 
dura and pia matter, it is hard. A remarkable quickness of hearing 
is a common symptom of this disease, but that selclom continues long. 
Another usual symptom is a great throbbing or pulsation in die arteries 
of the neck and temples. Though the tongue is often black and dry, 
yet the patient seldom complains of thirst, and even refuses drink. The 
mind chiefly runs upon such objects as have before made a deep im- 
pression on it ; and sometimes from a sullen silence, the patient becomes 
all of a sudden quite outrageous. 

A constant trembling and starting of the tendons is an unfavourable 
symptom, as are also a suppression of urine; a total want of sleep; a 



QR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 185 

constant spitting; a grinding of the teeth ; which last may be considered 
as a kind of convulsion. When a phrenitis succeeds an inflammation 
of the lungs, of the intestines, or of the throat, &c. it is owing to a trans- 
lation of the disease from these parts to the brain, and generally proves 
fatal. This shows the uecessity of proper evacuations, and the dan- 
ger of repellents in all inflammatory diseases. 

The favourable symptoms are, a free perspiration, a copious dis- 
charge of blood from the nose, the bleeding piles, a plentiful discharge 
of urine, which lets fall a copious sediment. Sometimes the disease is 
carried off by a looseness, and in women by an excessive flow of the 



As this disease often proves fatal in a few days, it requires the most 
speedy applications. When it is prolonged, or improperly treated, it 
sometimes ends in madness, or a kind of stupidity which continues for 
life! 

In the cure, two things are Chiefly to be attended to, viz. to lessen 
the quantity of blood in the brain, and to retard the circulation towards 
the head. 

REGIMEN.— The patient ought to be kept very quiet. — Compa- 
ny, noise, and every thing that affects the senses, or disturbs the ima- 
gination, increases the disease. Even too much light is hurtful ; for 
which reason the patient's chamber ought to be a little darkened, and 
he should neither be kept too hot nor cold. It is not however necessa- 
ry to exclude the company of an agreeable friend, as this has a tenden- 
cy to soothe and quiet the mind. Neither ought the patient to be kept 
too much in the dark, lest it should occasion a gloomy melancholy, 
which is too often the consequence of this disease. ~ 

The patient must, as far as possible, be soothed and humoured in eve- 
ry thing. Contradiction will ruffle his mind, and increase his malady. 
Even when he calls for things which are not to be obtained or which 
might prove hurtful, he is not to be positively denied them, but rather 
put off with the promise of haying them as soon as they can be obtain- 
ed, or by some other excuse. A little of any thing that the mind is 
set upon, though not quite proper,' will hurt the patient less than a posi- 
tive refusal. In a word, whatever he was fond of, or used to be delight- 
ed with, when in health, may here be tried ; as pleasing stories, soft 
music, or whatever has a tendency to soothe the passions and compose 
the mind. Boerhaave proposes several mechanical experiments for 
this purpose ; as the soft noise of water distilling by drops into a bason, 
and the patient trying to reckon them, &c. Any uniform sound, if low 
and continued, has a tendency to procure sleep, and consequently may 
be of service. 

The aliment ought to be light, consisting chiefly of farinaceous sub- 
stances; as panado, and water-gruel, sharpened with jelly of currants, 
or juice of lemons, ripe fruits roasted or boiled, jellies, preserves, &c. 
n " I: "V email, diluting, and cooling; as whey, barley-water, ««* A ~ 



OF THE PHRENITIS, &<:, 

eoclions of barley and tamarinds, which latter not only render the Vz- 
quor more palatable, but likewise more beneficial as they are of an open* 
iug nature. 

MEDICINE. — In an inflammation of the brain, nothing more cer- 
tainly relieves the patient than a free discharge of blood from the nose. 
"When this comes of its own accord, it is by no means- to be stopped but 
rather promoted, by applying cloths dipped in warm water to the part. 
When bleeding at the nose docs not happen spontaneously, it may be 
provoked, by putting a straw or any other sharp body up the nostril. 

Bleeding in the temporal arteries greatly relieves the head ; but as 
this operation cannot always be performed, wc would recommeud in 
i s stead, bleeding in the jugular veins. When the patient's pulse and 
. spirits are so lew that he cannot bear bleeding with the lancet, leeches 
may be applied to the temples. These not only draw off the blood 
more. gradually, but by being applied nearer to the part affected, gen- 
erally give more immediate relief. 

A discharge of blood from the ha?morhoidal veins is likewise ofgreat 
service, and ought by all means to be promoted. If the patient has 
been subject to the bleeding piles, and that discharge has been stopped, 
every method must be tried to restore it; as the application of leeches 
to the parts, sitting over the steams of warm water, sharp clysters, or 
suppositories made of honey, aloes, and rock-salt. 

1 f the inflammation of the brain be occasioned by the stoppage of 
evacuatious either natural or artificial, as the menses, issues, setons, or 
such like, all means must be used to restore them as soon as possible, or 
to substitute others iu their stead. 

The patient's body must be kept open by stimulating clysters or 
smart purses; and small quantities of nitre ought frequently to be mix- 
ed with his drink. Two or three drachms, or more, if the case be> 
dangerous, may be used in the space of twenty-four hours. 

The head should be shaved and frequently rubbed with vinegar and 
wise water. Cloths dipped in this mixture may likewise be applied to> 
the temples. The feet ought frequently to be bathed in lukewarm wa- 
ter, and soft poultices of bread and milk may be kept constantly ap- 
plied to them. 

If the disease proves obstinate, and does not yield to these medicines* 
it will be necessary to ?pp!y a blistering plaster to the whole head* 



■OF THE OPHTHALMIA, &c„ IS? 



CHAPTER XXVIIL 



®F THE OPHTHALMIA, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE 

EYES. 



THIS disease may be Occasioned by external injuries; as blows, 
burns, bruises, and the like. It may likewise proceed from dust s 
quick-lirne, or other substances, getting into the eyes. It is often 
caused by the stoppage of customary evacuations ; as the healing of old 
-sores, drying up of issues, the suppressing of gentle morning sweats, or 
of the sweating of the feet, &c. Long exposure to the night air, e pe- 
ciallyin cold northerly winds, or whatever suddenly checks the perspi- 
ration, especially after the body has been much heated, is very apt to 
cause an inflammation in the eyes. Viewing snow or other white bod- 
ies for a long time, or looking stedfastly at the sun, a clear fire, or any 
bright object, will likewise occasion this malady. A sudden transition 
from darkness to very bright light will often have the same effect. 

Nothing more certainly occasions an inflammation of the eyes than 
night-watching, especially reading or writing by candle-light. Drink- 
ing spirituous liquors, and excess of venery are likewise very hurtful 
to the eyes. The acrid fumes of metals, and of several kinds of fuel, 
are also pernicious. Sometimes an inflammation of the eyes proceeds 
from a venereal taint, and often from a scrophulous or gouty habit. It 
may likewise be occasioned by hairs in the eyelids turning inward and 
hurting the eyes. Sometimes the disease is epidemic, especially after 
wet seasons ; and I have frequently known it prove infeciious, partic- 
ularly to those who lived in the same house with the patient. It may 
be occasioned by moist air, or living in low damp houses, especially 
in persons who are not accustomed to such situations. In children it 
often proceeds from imprudently drying up of scabbed heads, a run- 
ning behind the ears, or any other discharge of that kind. Inflamma- 
tions of the eyes often succeed the small-pox or measles, especially in 
children of a scrophulous habit. 

SYMPTOMS. — An inflammation of the eyes is attended with acute 
pain, heat, redness, and swelling. The patient is not able to bear the 
light, and sometimes he feels a pricking pain, as if his eyes were pier- 
ced with a thorn. Sometimes he imagines his eyes are full of motes, 
or thinks he sees flies dancing before him. The eyes are filled with a 
scalding rheum, which rushes forth in great quantities, whenever the 
patient attempts to look up. The pulse is generally quick and hard* 
with some degree of fever. When the disease is violent, the neigh* 



188 OF THE OPHTHALMIA, 

bouring parts swell, and there is a throbbing or pulsation in the tempo- 
ral arteries, &c. 

A slight inflammation of the eye?, especially from an external cause, 
is easily cured ; but when the disease is Violent, and continues long, it 
often leaves specks upon the eyes, or dimness of sight, and sometimes 
total blindness. 

If the patient be seized with a looseness, it has a good effect \ and 
■when the inflammation passes from one ev e to another as it were by in- 
fection, it is no unfavourable symptom. But wheu the disease is ac- 
companied with a violent pain of the head, and continues long, the pa- 
tient is in danger of losing his sight. 

REGIMEN. — The diet, unless in scrophulous cases, can hardly 
be too spare, especially at the beginniog. The patient must abstain 
from every thing of a heating nature. His food should consist chiefly 
of u ild vegetables, weak broths, and gruels. His drink may be bar- 
ley- .vpier, balm-tea, common whey, and such like. 

The patient's chamber must be darkened, or his eyes shaded by a 
cover so as to exclude the light, but not to press upon the eyes. He 
should not look at a candle, the fireoranj luminous object; and ought 
to avoid all smoke, as the fumes of tobacco, or any thing that may 
cause coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. He should be kept quiet, avoid- 
ing all violent efforts, either of body or mind, and encouraging sleep as 
much as possible. 

MEDICINE. — This is one of those diseases wherein great hurt is 
often done by external applications. Almost every person pretends to 
be possessed of a remedy for the cure of sore eyes. These remedies 
generally consist of eve- waters and ointments, with other external ap- 
plications, which do mischief twenty times for once they do good. Peo- 
ple ought therefore to be very cautious how they use such things, as 
even the pressure upon the eyes often increases the malady. 

Bleeding in a violent inflammation of the eyes, is always necessary. 
This should be performed as near the part affected as possible. An 
adult may lose ten or twelve ounces of blood from the jugular vein, and 
the operation may be repeated according to the urgency of the symp- 
toms. If it should not be convenient to bleed in the neck, the same 
quantity may be let from the arm, or any other part of the body. 

Leeches are often applied to the temples, or under the eyes, with 
good effect. The wounds must be suffered to bleed for some hours, 
aud if the bleeding stop soon, it may be promoted by the application of 
cloths dipt in warm water. In obstinate cases, it Avill be necessary to 
repeat this operation several times. 

Opening and diluting medicines are by no means to be neglected : 
The patient may take a small dose of Glauber's salts, and cream of 
tartar, every second or third day, or a decoction of tamarinds with 
senna. If these be not agreeable, gentle doses of rhubarb and nitre, 
a little of the lenitive electuary, or any other mild purgative, will aft* 



OR INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES. 129 

Swer the same end. The patient at the same time must drink freely of 
water-gruel, tea, whey, or any other weak diluting liquor. He ought 
likewise to take at bed-time, a large draught of very weak wine-whey, 
in order to promote perspiration. His feet and legs must frequently be 
bathed in lukewarm water, and his head shaved twice or thrice a- week, 
and afterwards washed in cold water. This has often a remarkable 
good effect. 

If the inflammation does not yield to these evacuations, blistering 
plasters must be applied to the temples, behind the ears, or upon the 
neck, and kept open for some time by the mild blistering-ointment. I 
-have seldom known these, if long enough kept open, fail to remove the 
most obstinate inflammation of the eyes; but for this purpose it is often 
necessary to continue the discharge for several Weeks. 

When the disease has been of long standing, I have seen very extra- 
ordinary effects from a seton in the neck, or between the shoulders* 
especially the latter. It should be put upwards and downwards, or in. 
the direction of the spine, and in the middle between the shoulder 
blades. It may be dressed twice a-day With yellow basilicon. I have 
known patients, who had been blind for a considerable time, recover 
sight by means of a seton placed as above. When the seton i3 put 
across the neck, it soon wears but, and is* both more painful and trou- 
blesome than between the shoulders ; besides, it leaves a disagreeable 
mark ; and does not discharge so freely. 

When the heat and pain of the eyes are very great, a poultice of 
bread and milk., softened with sweet oil or fresh butter, may be applied 
to them, at least all night; and they may be bathed with luke warn! 
milk and water in the morning. 

If the patient cannot sleep, which is sometimes the case, he may 
take twenty or thirty drops of laudanum, or two spoonsful of the syrup 
of poppies, over night, more or less according to his age, or the violence 
of the symptoms-. 

After the inflammation is gone off, if the eyes still remain weak and 
tender, they may be bathed every night and morning with cold water 
and a little brandy^ six parts of the former to one of the latter. 

A method should be contrived by which the eye can be quite im- 
mersed in the brandy and water, Where it should be kept tor some 
time. I have generally found this, or cold water and vinegar, as good 
a strehgthener of the eyes as any of the most celebrated collyriums. 

When an inflammation of the eyes proceeds from a scrophulous hab- 
it, it generally proves very obstinate. \ In this case the patient's diet 
must not be too low, and he may be allowed to drink small negus, or 
now and then a glass of wine. The most proper medicine is the Pe- 
ruvian bark, which may either he given in substance, or prepared in 
the following manner. 

Take an ounce of the bark in powder, with two drachms of Winter's 
%ark, and boil them in an English quart of water to a pint; when it hag 



190 OF THE QUINSEY, 

boiled nearly long enough, add half an ounce of liquorice-root sliced. 
Let (he liquor be strained Two, three, or four table-spoonsful, ac- 
cording to the age of the p itient, maj be taken three or four times a- 
day It is impossible to say how long this medicine should be contin- 
ued, as the cure is sooner performed in some than in others ; but in gen- 
eral it requires a considerable lime to produce any lasting effects. 

Or. Cheyne says, " That yEthiop's mineral never fails in obstinate 
inflammations of the eyes, even scrophulous ones, if given in a sufficient 
dose, and duly persisted in." There is no doubt but this and other 
preparations of mercury may be cf singular service in ophthalmias of 
long continuance, but they ought always to be administered with the 
greatest caution, or by persons officii! in physic. 

It will be proper frequently to look into the eyes, to see if any hairs 
l)c turned inwards, or pressing upon them.* These ought to be re- 
moved by plucking them cut with a pair of small pincers. 

Those who are liable to frequent returns of this disease, ought con- 
stantly to have an is^ue on one or both arms. Bleeding or purging in 
the spring awl autumn, will be very beneficial to such persons. They 
ought likewise to live with the greatest regularity, avoiding strong li- 
quo s, and every thing of a heating quality. Above all, let them avoid 
*he night air, and late studies. 



CHAPTER XXIX, 



OF THE QUINSEY, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE 
THROAT. 



THIS disease is very common in Britain, and is frequently attend- 
ed with great danger. It prevails in the winter and spring, and 
3s most fatal to young people of a sanguine temperament. 

CAUSES. — In general it proceeds from the same causes as other 
inflammatory disorders, viz. an obstructed perspiration, or whatever 
heats or inflames the blood. An inflammation cf the throat is often oc- 
casioned by omitting some part of the covering usually worn about the 

* Any foreign body lodged in the eye may be expeditiously removed 
Ly-pai-sjng a small hair pencil between the eye-lid, and the ball of the 
gye. In tome places the peasants do this very effectually, by usiii£ 
i. 1 !! ir tongue in the same manner. 



OR INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT. 101 

beck, by drinking cold liquor when the body is warm, by riding or 
walking against a cold northerly wind, or any thing that greatly cools 
the throat and parts adjacent. It may likewise proceed from the aeg- 
lect of bleeding, purging or any customary evacuation. 

Singing, speaking loud and long, or whatever strains the throat, rnr.y 
likewise cause an inflammation of that organ. I have often known the 
quinsey prove fatal to jovial companions, who after sitting long in a warm 
room, drinking warm liquors, and singing with vehemence, were so im- 
prudent as to go abroad* in the cold night air. Sitting with wet feet, or 
keeping on wet clothes, are very apt to occasion this malady. It is 
likewise frequently occasioned by continuing long in a moist place, sit- 
ting near an open window, sleeping in a damp bed, sitting in a room 
that has been uewly plastered, &c. I know people who never fail to> 
have a sore throat, if they sit even but a short time in a room that has 
been lately washed. 

Acrid or irritating food may likewise inflame the throat, and occa- 
sion a quinsey. It may also proceed from bones, pins, or other sharp 
substances sticking in the throat, or from the caustic fumes of metals or 
minerals, as arsenic, antimony, &c. taken in by the breath. This dis- 
ease is sometimes epidemic and infectious. 

SYMPTOMS.— The inflammation of the throat is evident from in- 
spection, the parts appearing red and swelled ; besides the patient com- 
plains of pain in swallowing. His pulse is quick and hard, with other 
symptoms of a fever. If blood be let, it is generally covered with a 
tough coat of a whitish colour, and the patient spits a tough phlegm. 
As the swelling and inflammation increase, the breathing and swallow- 
ing become more difficult; the pain afFects the ears; the eyes gener- 
ally apcear red; and the face swells. The patient is often obliged to 
keep himself in an erect posture, being in danger of suffocation ; there 
is a constant nausea, or inclination to vomit, and the drink, instead of 
passing into the stomach, is often returned by the nose. The patient 
is sometimes starved at last, merely from an inability to swallow any 
kind of food. 

When the breathing is laborious, with straitness of the breast, and 
anxiety, the danger is great. Though the pain ia swallowing be very 
great, yet while the patient breathes easy, there is not so much danger. 
An external swelling is no unfavourable symptom ; but if it suddenly 
falls, and the disease affects the breast, the danger is very great. 
When a quinsey is the consequence of some other disease, Avhich has 
already weakened the patient, his situation is dangerous. A frothing 
at the mouth, with a swelled tongue, a pale, ghastly countenance, and 
coldness of the extremities are fatal symptoms. 

REGIMEN. — The regimen in this dist ase is in all respects the same 
as in the pleurisy, or peripneumony. The food must be light, and in 
small quantity, and the drink plentiful, weak and diluting, mixed witfe 
-acids. 



*$2 OF THE QLINSEY, 

It is highly necessary that the patient be kept easy autl quiet. Vi- 
oleut affections of the mind, or great efforts of the body, may prove fa- 
tal. He should not even attempt to speak but in a low voice. Such 
a degree of warmth as to promote a constaDt gentle sweat, is proper. 
When the patient is in bed, his head ought to be raised a little higher, 
than usual. 

It is peculiarly necessary that the neck be kept warm ; for which 
purpose several folds of soft flannel may be wrapt round it. That 
alone will often remove a slight complaiut of the throat, especially if 
applied in due time. We cannot here omit observing the propriety of 
a Custom which prevails among the peasants of Scotland : When they 
feel an uneasiness of the throat, they wrap a stocking about it all night. 
So effectual is this remedy, that in many places it passes for a charm, 
and the stocking is applied with particular ceremonies ; the custom 
however, is undoubtedly a good one, and should never be neglected. 
When the throat has been thus wrapt up all night, it must not be ex- 
posed to the cold air through the day, but a handkerchief or a piece of 
flannel kept about it till the inflammation be removed. 

The jelly of black currants is a medicine very much in esteem for 
complaiuts of the throat ; and indeed it is of some use. It should be 
almost constantly kept in the mouth, and swallowed down leisurely. 
It may likewise be mixed in the patient's drink, or taken any other 
way. When it cannot be obtained, the jelly of red currants, or of 
mulberries, may be used in its stead. 

Gargles for the throat are very beneficial. They may be made of 
sage-tea, with a little vinegar and honey, or by adding to half a pint 
of the pectoral decoction, two or three spoonsful of honey, and the 
same quantity of currant-jelly, This may be used three or four times 
a-day ; and if the patient be troubled with tough viscid phlegm, the 
gargle may be rendered more sharp and cleansing, by adding to it a 
tea-spoonful of the spirit of ±al ammoniac. — Some recommend gargles 
made of a decoction of the leaves or bark of the black currant bush; 
but where the jelly can be had these are unnecessary. 

There is no disease wherein the benefit of bathing the feet and legs 
in lukewarm water is more apparent ; that practice ought therefore 
never to be neglected. If people were careful to keep warm, to wrap 
up their throats with flannel, to bathe their feet and legs iu warm wai- 
ter, and to use a spare diet, with diluting liquors, at the beginning of 
this disease, it would seldom proceed to a great height, or be attended 
with any danger ; but when these precautions are neglected, and th« 
disease becomes violent, more powerful medicines are uecessary. 

MEDICINE. — An inflammation of the throat being a most acute 
and dangerous distemper, which sometimes takes oil' the patient very 
suddenly, it will be proper, as soon as the symptoms appear, to bleed 
in the arm, or rather in the jugular vein, and to repeat the operation if 
circumstances require. 



OR INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT. 193 

The body should likewise be kept gently open. This may either be 
done by giving the patient for his ordinary drink a decoction of figs 
and tamarinds, or small doses of rheubarb and nitre, as recommended 
in the erysipelas. These may be increased according to the age of 
the patient, and repeated till they have the desired effect. 

I have often known very good effects from a bit of salprunel, or 
purified nitre, held in the mouth, and swallowed down as it melted. 
This promotes the discharge of saliva, by which means it answers 
the end of a gargle, while at the same time it abates the fever, by pro- 
moting the discharge of urine, &c. 

The throat ought likewise to be rubbed twice or thrice a-day with a 
little of the volatile liniment. This seldom fails to produce some gGod 
effects. At the same time the neck ought to be carefully covered 
with wool or flannel, to prevent the cold from penetrating the skin, as 
this application renders it very tender. Many other external applica- 
tions are recommended in this disease, as a swallow's nest, poultices 
made of the fungus called Jew's ears, album Graecum, &c. But as we 
do not look upon any of these to be preferable to a common poultice 
of bread and milk, we shall take no further notice of them. 

Some recommend the gura-guaiacum as a specific in this disease. 
Half a drachm of the gum in powder may be made into an electuary 
•with the rob of elder-berries, or the jelly of currants for a dose, and 
repeated occasionally.* 

Blistering upon the neck or behind the ears in violent inflammations 
of the throat is very beneficial ; and in bad cases it will be necessary 
to lay a blistering-plaster quite across the throat, so as to reach from 
ear to ear. After the plasters are taken off, the parts ought to be kept 
running by the application of issue ointment, till the inflammation is 
gone ; otherwise, upon their drying up, the patient will be in danger of 
a relapse. 

When the patient has beon treated as above, a suppuration seldom 
happens. This however is sometimes the case, in spite of all endeav- 
ours to prevent it. When the inflammation and swelling continue, and 
it is evident that a suppuration will ensue, it ought to be promoted by 
drawing the steam of Avarm water into the throat through a tunnel, or , 
the like. Soft poultices ought likewise to be applied outwardly, and 
the patient may keep a roasted fig constantly in his mouth. 

It sometimes happens, before the tumour breaks, that the swelling is 
so great, as entirely to prevent any thing from getting down into the 
stomach. In this case the patient must inevitably perish, unless he can 
be supported in some other way. This can only be done by nourish- 
ing clysters of broth, or gruel with milk, &c. Patients have often been 
supported by these for several days, till the tumour has broke ; and 
afterwards they have recovered. 



*<Dr. Home. 



OF THE WIKSMY, 

Ts'ot only the swallowing, but the breathing, is often prevented by 
the tumour. In this case nothing can save the patient's life but open- 
ing the trachea, or wind-pipe. As that has been often <loue with suc- 
cess, no person, in such desperate circumstances, ought to hesitate a 
moment about the operation ; but as it can only be performed bj a sur- 
geon, it is not necessary here to give any directions about it. 

When a difficulty of swallowing is nut attended with an acute pain 
or inflammation, it is generally owing to an obstruction of the glands 
about the throat* and only requires that the part be kept warm, and 
the throat frequently gargled with something tha» may gently stimu- 
late the ghind&, as adeeoition of (igswith vinegar and honey ; to winch 
may be added a little mustard, or a small quantity of spirits. But this 
gargle is never to be used where there are signs of an inflammation. 
This species of angina has various names among the common people, 
ap of the throat, the Sailing down of the almonds cflhe tars, &c. 
Accordingly, to remove it, the) lift the patient up by (he hair of the 
bead, and thrust their fingers mirier his jaws, &c. ail which practices 
are at best useless, and often imytiul. 

Those who are subject to inflammations of the threat, in order to 
a\oid that disease, ought to live temperate. Such as do not choose to. 
observe this rule, must have frequent recourse to purging ami other 
evacuations^ to discharge the superfluous humours. They ought like- 
wise to beware of catching cold, and should abstain from aliment or med- 
icines -if an astringent or stimulating nature. 

Violent exercise, by increasing the motion and force of the blood, is 
apt to occasion an inflammation of die throat, especially if col<! liquor 
be drank immediately after '.t, or ti;e body suffered suddenly to cool. 
Those who would avoid this disease ought therefore, after speaking 
loud, singing, running, drinking warm liquor, or doing any thing that 
T'.r?.y strain the throat, or increase the circulation of the blood towards 
e care to cool gradually, aud to wrap seme additional covering 
about their necks. 

1 have often known persons who had beeu subject to sore throats, en- 
tirely freed from that complaint by only wearing a ribband, or bit of 
flannel, constantly round their necks, or by weariug thicker shoes, a 
flannel waistcoat or the like. These may seem trifling, but they have 
great ctfcGt. There is danger indeed in leaving them off after persons 
liave been accustomed to them; but surely the inconvenience of using 
such things for life, is not to be compared with the danger which may 
the neglect o[ them; 
lines, after an inflammation, the glands of the throat continue 
. and become hard and callous. This complaint is not easily 
removed, and is often rendered dangerous by the too frequent applica- 
tion of strong stimulating and styptic medicines. The best method is 
t ■) keep it warm, and to gargle it twice a-day with a decoction of figs, 
sh irj . !.- ! a little with the elixir or spirit of vitriol, 



OF THE MALIGNANT QUINSEY. 195 



OF THE MALIGNANT QUINSEY, OR PUTRID ULCER- 
OUS SORE THROAT. 

THIS kind of quinsey is but little known in the northern parts of 
Biiiaiu, though, for some time past, it has been fatal in the more south- 
ern countries. Children are more liable to it than adults, females thaa 
males, and the delicate than those who are hardy and robust. It pre- 
vails chiefly in autumn, and is most frequent alter a long course of damp 
or sultry weather. 

CAUSES.— This is evidently a contagious distemper, and is gener- 
ally communicated by infection. Whole families, and even entire vil- 
lages, often receive the infection from one person. This ought to put 
people upon their guard against going near such patients as labour un- 
der the disorder ; as by that means they endanger not only their own 
lives, but likewise those of their friends and connexions. Whatever 
tends to produce putrid or malignant fevers, may likewise occasion the 
putrid ulcerous sore throat, as unwholesome air, damaged provisions, 
neglect of cleanliness, &c. 

SYMPTOMS. — It begins with alternate fits of shivering and heat. 
The pulse is quick, but low and unequal, and generally continues so 
through the whole course of the disease* The patient complains great- 
ly of weakness and oppression of the breast ; his spirits are low, and 
he is apt to faint away when set upright ; he is troubled with a nausea, 
and often with a vomiting or purging. The two latter are most com- 
mon in children The eyes appear red and watery, and the face 
swells The urine is at first pale and crude; bvd, as the disease ad- 
vances, it turns more of a yellowish colour. The tongue is white, and 
gen^rall) moist, which distinguishes this from an inflammatory disease. 
Upon looking into the throat, it appears swelled, and ot a liorid red 
colour. Pale or ash-coloured spots however are here and there inter- 
spersed, and sometimes one broad patch or spot, of an irregular figure* 
and pale white colour, surrounded with florid red, only appears. These 
whitish spots or sloughs cover so many ulcers. 

An efflorescence, or miptiou upon the neck, arms, breast, and fing- 
ers, about the second or third day, is a common symptom of this dis- 
ease. When it appears, the purging and vomiting generally cesse. 

There is often a slight degree of delirium, and ttie face frequently 
appears bloated, and the inside of the nostrils red and inflamed.— The 
patient complains of a disagreeable putrid smell, and his breath is very 
offensive. 

The putrid ulcerous sore throat may be distinguished from the ir> 
flammatory, by the vomiting and looseness with which it is generally 
ushered in; the foul ulcers in the throat covered with a white or livid 
coa,t; and by the excessive weakness of the patient; with other symp- 
toms of a putrid fever. 



195 QF THE MALIGNANT QUINSEY. 

Unfavourable symptoms are, an obstinate purging, extreme weakness, 
dimness of the sight ; a livid or black colour of tire spots, and frequent 
shiverings, with a weak fluttering pulse. If the eruption upon the skin 
suddenly disappears, or becomes of a livid colour with a discharge of 
blood from the nose or mouth, the danger is very great. 

If a gentle sweat break out about the third or fourth day, and con- 
tinue with a slow, firm, and equal pulse; if the slough? cast off in a 
kiodly manner, and appear clean aDd florid at the bottom ; and if the 
breathing be soft and free, with a lively colour of the eyes, there is rea- 
son to hope for a salutary crisis. 

REGIMEN. — The patient must be kept quiet, and for the most 
part in bed, as he will be apt to faint when taken out of it. His food 
must be nourishing and restorative ; as sago-gruel with red wine, jel- 
lies, strong broths, &c. His drink ought to be generous, and of an an- 
tiseptic quality: as red wine, negus, white-whine whey, and such like. 

MEDICINE — The medicine in this kind of quiuse} is entirely 
different from that which is proper in the inflammatory. All evacua- 
tions, as bleeding, purging, &c. which weaken the patient must be avoid- 
ed. Cooling medicines, as nitre and cream of tartar, are likewise hurt- 
ful. Strengthening cordiala alone can be used with safety; and these 
ought never to be neglected. 

If at the beginning, there is a great nausea, or inclination to vomit, 
the patient must take an infusion of green tea, camomile flowers, or car~ 
duus benedictus, in order to cleanse the stomach. If these are not suf- 
ficient, he may take a few grains of the powder of ipecacuanha, or any 
other gentle vomit. 

If the disease is mild, the throat may be gargled with an infusion of 
sage aod rose leaves, lo a gill of which may be added a spoonful or 
two of honey ; and as much vinegar as will make it agreeably acid ; 
but when the symptoms are urgent, the sloughs large and thick, and 
the breath very offensive, the following gargle may be used. 

To six or seven ounces of the pectoral decoction, when boiling, add 
half an ounce of contrayerva-root ; let it boil for some time, and after- 
wards strain the liquor ; to which add two ounces of white wine vine- 
gar, an ounce of fine honey, and an ounce of the tincture of myrrh. 
This ought not only to be used as a gargle, but a little of it should 
frequently be injected with a syringe to clean the throat, before the pa- 
tient takes any meat or drink. This method is peculiarly necessary 
for children Mho cannot use a gargle. 

It will be of great benefit if the patient frequently receives into his 
mouth, through an inverted funnel, thesteams of warm vinegar myrrh, 
aud honey. 

Rut when the putrid symptoms run high, and the disease is attended 
with danger, the only medicine that can be depended upon is the Peru- 
vian bark. It may be taken in substance, if the patient's stomach will 
bear it. If not, an ounce of bark grossly powdered, with two drachms 



OF COLDS AND COUGHS. 197 

of Virginian snake-root, may be boiled in an English pint and a half, of 
water to half a pint; to which a tea spoonful of the elixir of vitriol 
may be added, and an ordinary tea-cupful of it taken every three or 
four hours. Blistering-plasters are veiy beneficial in this disease, es- 
pecially when the patient's pulse and spirits are low. They may be 
applied to the throat, behind the ears, or upon the back part of the 
neck. 

Should the vomiting prove troublesome, it will be proper to give 
the patient two t?Me spoonsful of the saline julep every hour. Tea 
made of mint and a little cinnamon will be very proper for his ordina- 
ry drink, especially if an equal quantity of red wine be mixed with it. 

In case of a violent looseuess, the size of a nutmeg of diascordiwn t 
or the japonic confection, may be laken two or three times a-day, or 
oftener if necessary. 

If a discharge of blood from the nose happens, the steams of warm 
vinegar may be received up the nostrils frequently ; and the drink 
must be sharpened with spirits of vitriol, or tincture of roses. 

In case of a stranguary, the body must be fomented with warm wo* 
ter, and emollient clysters given three or four times a-day. 

After the violence of the disease is over, the body should still be kept 
open with mild purgatives ; as manna, senna, rhubard, or the like. 

If great weakness and dejection of spirits, or night-sweats, with oth- 
er symptoms of a consumption, should ensue, we would advise the pa- 
tient to continue the use of the Peruvian bark, with the elixer of vitri- 
ol, and to take frequently a glass of generous wine. These together 
with a milk diet, and riding on horseback, are the most likely means 
for recovering his strength. 



CHAPTER XXX, 



OF COLDS AND COUGHS. 

IT has already been observed, that colds are the effect of an obstruc- 
ted perspiration; the common causes of which we have likewise en- 
deavoured to point out, andrshaU not here repeat them. Neither shall 
we spend time in enumerating all the various symptoms of colds, as they 
are pretty generally known. It may not however be amiss to observe, 
that almost every cold is a kind of fever, which only differs in degree 
from some of those that have already been treated of. 

No age, sex, or constitution, is exempted from this disease ; neither 
is it in the power of any medicine or regimen to prevent it. The in- 



OF COLDS AND COUGHS. 

habitants of every climate are liable to catch cold, nor can even thf 
greatest circumspection defend them at all times from its attat I 
tided, if the human body could be kept constantly iu an uniform degree 
of warmth, such a thing as catching cold would be impossible; but as 
(feat cannot be effected by any means, the perspiration must be liable to 
many changes. Such changes, however, when small, do not affect the 
health; but, when great, they must prove hurtful. 

When oppression of the breast, a staffing of the v.< se, unusual weari- 
ness, pain of the head, &c. give ground to believe that the perspiratfcjl 
is obstructed, or, in other words, that the person bus caught cold, he 
pught immediately to lessen his diet, at least th~ usual quantity of his' 
sold food, and to abstain from allstroug liquors Instead o! flesh, fish* 
eggs, milk, and other nourishing diet, he ma; read pudding, 

veal or chicken broth, pauado, gruels, and such hke. His drink may 
be water gruel sweetened with a little honey ; an iuf s'n.u of bairn or 
Unseed, sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon ; a decoction of 
barley and liquorice, with tamarind, or any other cool, diluting, acid 
liquor. 

Above all, his supper should be light; as small posset, or water grtf- 
el sweetened with honey, and a little toasted bread in it. If honey 
should disagree with the stomach, the gruel may be sweetened with 
treacle or coarse sugar, and sharpened with the jelly of currants. Those 
who have been accustomed to generous liquors may take vine-whey 
instead of gruel, which may be sweetened as above. 

The patient ought to lie longer than usual abed, and to encourage a 
gentle sweat, which is easily brought on towards morning, by drinking 
tea, or any kind of warm diluting liquor. I have often known this 
practice carry off a cold in one day, which, in all probability, had it 
been neglected, would have cost the patient his life, or have cot fined 
him for some months. Would people sacrifice a little time to ease and 
warmth, and practice a moderate degree of abstinence when the first 
symptoms of a cold appear, we have reason to believe that most of the 
bad effects which flow from an obstructed perspiration, might be pre- 
vented. But, after the disease has gathered strength by delay, all at- 
tempts to remove it, often prove vain. A pleurisy, a peripneumony, 
or a fatal consumption of the lungs, are the common effects of colds 
which have either been totally neglected, or treated improperly. 

Many attempt to cure a cold, by getting drunk. But this, to say 
;->o worse of it, is a very hazardous experiment. No doubt it may 
sometimes succeed, by suddenly restoring the peispiratiou ; but when 
there is any degree of inflammation, which is frequently the case, strong 
liquors, instead of removing the malady, will increase it. By this 
means a common cold ma) be converted into an inflammatory fever. 

When those who labour for their daily bread have the misfortune to 
catch cold, they cannot afford to kse a day or two, iu order to keep 
themselves warm, and take a little medicine ; by which means the dis»- 



OF COLDS AND COUGHS. I9@ 

order is often so aggravated as to confine them for a long time, or even to 
render them ever after unable to sustain hard labour- But eveu such of 
the labouring poor as can afford to take Gare of themselves, are often 
too hardy to do it ; they affect to despise colds, and as long as they can 
crawl about, scorn to be confined by what they call a common cold. 
Hi snct it is, that colds destroy such numbers of mankind. Like any 
cr.'f ;isv despised, they gather strength from delay, till at length they 
become invincible. We often see this verified in travellers, who, 
ra titer than lose a day in the prosecution of their business, throw 
away their lives by pursuing their journey, even in the severest weath- 
er, with diss disease upon them. 

It is certain however, that colds may be too much indulged. When 
a persm, for every slight cold, shuts himself up in a warm room, and 
driuks great quantities of warm liquor, it may occasion such a general 
relaxation -of the solids as will not be easily removed. It will there- 
fore be proper, when the disease will permit, and the weather is mild, 
to join to the regimen mentioned above, gentle exercise ; as walking, 
riding on horseback, or in a carriage, &c. An obstinate cold which 
no medicine can remove, will yield to gentle exercise and a proper 
regimen of the diet. 

Bathing the feet and legs in warm water lias a great tendency to 
restore the perspiration But care mast be taken that the water be 
not too warm, otherwise it will do hurt. It should never be much 
warmer than the blood, aud the patieut should go immediately to bed 
after using it. Bathing the feet in warm water, lying in bed, and drink- 
ing warm water gruel, or other weak liquors, will sooner take off a 
spasm, and restore 'He perspiration, than all the hot sodorific medicines 
in the world. This k all that is necessary for removing a common 
cold ; and if i his course be taken at the beginning, it will seldom faiL 

But when the symptoms do not yield to abstinence, warmth, and di- 
luting liquors, there is reason to fear the approach of some other dis- 
ease, as an inflammation of the breast, an ardent fever, or the like. 
If the pulse therefore be hard and frequent, the skin hot and diy, and 
the patient complains of his head or breast, it will be necessary to 
bleed, and to give the cooling powders recommended io the scarlet fe- 
yer every three or four hours, till they give a stool. 

It will likewise be proper to put a blistering- plaster on the back, 
and <rive two table-spoonsful of the saline mixture every two hours, and 
in short to treat the pstieat in all respects, as for a slight hveT. I have 
a! ten seen this course, when observed at the beginning, remove the 
complaints in two or three days, when the patient had all the symptoms 
of an approaciiing ardent fever, or an inflammation of the breast, 

The chief secret of preventing colds lies in avoiding, as far as pos- 
sible, ail extremes either of heat or cold, aud -in taking care when the 
body is heated, to let it cool gradually. These and other circumstan- 
ces relating to this important subject, are so fully treated of under tin 



200 OF A COMMON COUGH. 

article Obstructed Perspiration, that it is needless here to resume (he 
consideration of them. 

OF A COMMON COUGH. 

A COUGH is generally the effect of a cold, which has either beea 
Improperly treated, or entirely neglected. When it proves obstinate, 
there is always reason to fear the consequences, as this shews a weak 
state of the lungs, and is often the forerunner of a consumption. 

If the cough be violent, and the patient young and strong, with a hard 
quick pulse, bleeding will be proper; but in weak and relaxed habits, 
bleeding rather prolongs the disease. When the patient spits freely, 
bleeding is unnecessary, and sometimes hurtful, as it tends to lessen that 
discharge. 

When the cough is not attended with any degree of fever, and the 
spittle is viscid aud tough, sharp pectoral medicines are to be adminis- 
tered, as gum ammoniac, squills, <fec. Two table-spoonsful of the so- 
lution of gum ammoniac may be taken three or four times a-day, more 
or less, according to the age and constitution of the patient. Squills 
may be given various ways ; two ounces of the vinegar, the oxymel, 
or the syrup, may be mixed with the same quantity of simple cinna- 
mon water, to which may be added an ounce of common water and an 
ounce of balsamic syrup. Two table spoonsful of this mixture may be 
taken three or four times a-day. 

A syrup made of equal parts of lemon juice, honey, and sugar-candy, 
is likewise very proper in this kind of cough. A table-spoonful of it 
may be taken ai pleasure. 

But when the defluction is sharp and thin, these medicines rather do- 
hurt. In this case gentle opiates, oils, and mucilages are more proper. 
A cup of an infusion of wild poppy leaves, and marsh-mallow roots or 
the flowers of colts-foot, may be taken frequently; or a tea spoonful 
of the paregoric elixir may be put into the patient's drink twice a-day. 
Fuller's Spanish infusion is also a very proper medicine in this case, 
and may be taken in the quantity of a tea-cupful three or four times a- 
day. 

When a cough is occasioned by acrid humors tickling the throat and 
fauces, the patient should keep some soft pectoral lozenges, almost con- 
stantly in his mouth ; as the Poutrefact liquorice cakes, barley-sugar, 
the common balsamic lozenges, Spanish juice, &c. These blunt the 
acrimony of the humors, and by taking off their stimulating quality, 
help to appease the cough.* 

■* ■ — — 

• * In a former edition of this book 1 recommended, for an obstinate 
tickling cough, au oily emulsion, made "with the paregoric elixir of the 
Edinburgh Dispensatory, instead of the common alkaline spirit. I 
have siact been told by several practitioners, that they found it to be 



OF A COMMON COUGH. 201 

In obstinate coughs, proceeding from a flux of humours upon the lungs, 
it will often be necessary, besides expectorating medicines, to have 
recourse to issues, setons, or some other drain. In this case I have 
often observed the most happy effects from a Burgundy-pitch plaster 
applied between the shoulders. 1 have ordered this simple remedy in 
the most obstinate coughs, in a great number of cases, and in many 
different constitutions, without ever knowipg it fail to give relief, unless 
where there were evident signs of an ulcer in the lungs. 

About the bulk of a nutmeg of burgundy-pitch may be spread thin 
upon a piece of soft leather, about the size of the hand, and laid be- 
tween the shoulder-blades. It may be taken off and wiped every three 
or four days, and ought to be renewed once a fortnight or three weeks. 
This is indeed a cheap and simple medicine, and consequently apt to 
be despised; but we will venture to affirm, that the whole materia 
medica does not afford an application more efficacious in almost every 
kind of cough. It has not indeed always an immediate effect; but, if 
kept on for some time, it will succeed where most other medicines fail. 

The only inconveniency attending this plaster is the itching which it 
occasions ; but surely this may be dispensed with considering the ad- 
vantage which the patient may expect to reap from the application ; 
besides, Avhen the itchiog becomes very uneasy, the plaster may be 
taken off, and the part rubbed with a dry cloth, or washed with a lit- 
tle warm milk and water. Some caution indeed is necessary in dis- 
continuing the use of such a plaster ; this however may be safely done 
by making it smaller by degrees, and at length quitting it altogether in 
a warm season.f 

But coughs proceed from many other causes besides defluxioqs up-; 
pn the lungs. In these cases the cure is not to be attempted by pecto- 
ral medicines. Thus, in a cough proceeding from a foulness and de- 
bility of the stomach, syrups, oils, mucilages and all kinds of balsamic 
medicines do hurt. The stomach cough may be known from one that 
is owing to a fault in the lungs by this, that in the latter the patient 
coughs whenever he inspires, or draws*in his breath fully ; but in the 
former that does not happen, 

an excellent medicine in this disorder, and every way deserving of the, 
character which I had given it. Where this elixir is not kept, its 
place may be supplied by adding to the common oily emulsion, an ad- 
equate proportion of the Thebaic tincture, or liquid laudanum. 

f Some complain that the pitch-plaster adheres too fast, while others 
find difficulty in keeping it on. This proceeds from the different kinds 
of pitch made use of, and likewise from the manner of making it. I 
generally find it answers best when mixed with a little bees-wax, and 
spread as cool as possible. The clear, hard, transparent pitch answer^ 
fhe purpose best. 

w 



202 OF THE HOOPING COUGH, 

The cure of this cough depends chiefly upon cleansing and strength- 
ening the stomach; for which purpose gentle vomits and bitter purga- 
tives are most proper. Thus, after a vomit or two, the sacred tinc- 
ture, as it is called, may be taken for a considerable time in the dose 
of one or two table-spoonsful twice a- day, or as often as it is found necessa- 
ry, to keep the body gently open. People may make this tincture 
themselves, by infusing an ounce of hiera picra, in an English pint qf 
white wine, letting it stand a few days, and then straining it. 

In coughs which proceed from a debility of the stomach, the Peru- 
vian bark is likewise of considerable service. It may either be chew- 
ed, taken in powder, or made into a tincture along with other stomachic 
bitters. 

A nervous cough can only be removed by change of air and proper 
exercise; to which may be added the use of gentle opiates. Instead of 
the saponaceous pill, the paregoric elixir, <fec. which are only opium 
disguised, ten, fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five drops of liquid laudanum, 
more or less, as circumstances require, may be taken at bed time, or 
Ayhen the cough is most troublesome. Immersing the feet and hands in 
Tvarm water will often appease the violence of a nervous cough. 

When a cough is only the symptom of some other malady, it is in 
vain to attempt to remove it without first curing the disease from which 
it proceeds. Thus when a cough is occasioned by teething, keeping 
the body open, scarifying the sums, or whatever facilitates the cutting 
of the teeth, likewise appeases the cough. In like manner, when worms 
occasion a cough, such medicines as remove these vermin will gener- 
ally cure the cough ; as bitter purgatives, oily clysters, and such like. 
Women* during the last months of pregnancy, are often greatly af- 
flicted with a cough, which is generally relieved by bleeding, and keep- 
ing the body gently open. They ought to avoid all flatulent food, and 
to wear a loose easy dress. 

A cough is not only a symptom, but is often likewise the forerunner 
of diseases. Thus, the gout is frequently ushered in by a very trou- 
blesome coxgh, which affects the patient for some days before the com- 
ing on of the fit. This cough is generally removed by a paroxysm of 
the gout, which should therefore be promoted, by keeping the extrem- 
ities warm, drinking warm liquors, and bathing the feet and legs fre- 
quently in luke-warm water. 

OF THE HOOPING-COUGH, OR CHIN COUGH. 

THIS cough seldom affects adults, but proves often fatal to child- 
Ten. Such children as live upon thin watery diet, who breathe un- 
wholesome air, and have too little exercise, are most liable to this dis- 
ease, and generally suffer most from it. 

The chin-cough is so well known, even to nurses, that a description 
of it js unnecessary. Whatever ourte the digestion, obstructs the per. 



OR CHIN COUGH. &i 

spiratioh, or relaxes the solids, disposes to this disease ; consequently its 
cure must depend upon cleansing and strengthening the stomach, bra- 
cing the solids, and at the same time promoting perspiration, and the 
different secretions. 

The diet must be light and of easy digestion ; for children, good 
bread made into pap or pudding, chicken-broth, with other light spoon- 
meats, are proper; but those who are farther advanced, may be allow- 
ed sago-gruel, and if the fever be not high, a little boiled chicken, or 
other white meats. The drink may be hyssop, or penny-royal tea, 
sweetened with honey or sugar-candy, small wine-whey : or if the pa- 
tient be weak, he may sometimes be allowed a little negus. 

One of the most effectual remedies in the chin-cough is change of 
air. This often removes the malady, even when the change seems 
to be from a purer to a less wholesome air. This may in some meas- 
ure depend on the patient's being removed from the place where the 
infection prevails. Most of the diseases of children are infectious? 
nor is it at all uncommon to find the chin cough prevailing in one 
town or village, when another, at a very small distance, is quite free 
from it. But whatever be the cause, we are sure of the fact. Ko 
time ought therefore to be lost in removing the patient at some dis- 
tance from the place where he caught the disease, and, if possible, 
into a more pure and warm air.* 

When the disease proves violent, and the patient is in danger of be- 
ing suffocated by the cough, he ought to be bled, especially if there 
be a fever with a hard full pulse. But as the chief intention of bleed*- 
iug is to prevent an inflammation of the lungs, and to render it more 
safe to give vomits, it will seldom be necessary to repeat the operation ; 
yet if there are symptoms of an inflammation of the lungs, a second or 
even a third bleeding may be requisite. < 

It is generally reckoned a favourable symptom when a fit of cough- 
ing makes the patient vomit. This cleanses the stomach, and greatly 
relieves the cough. It will therefore he proper to promote this dis- 
charge, either by small doses of ipecacuanha, or the vomiting julep re- 
commended in the Appendix. 

It is very difficult to make children drink after a vomit. I have 
often seen them happily deceived, by infusing a scruple or half a drAchm 
of the powder of ipecacuanha in a tea pot, with half a pint of boiling 
water. If this be disguised with a few drops of milk and a little sugar, , 
they will imagine it tea, and drink it very greedily. A small tea- 

* Some think the air ought not to be changed till the disease is on 
the decline : but there seems to be no sufficient reason for ttiis opinion, 
as patients have been known to reap benefit from a change of air at all 
periods of the disease. It is not sufficient to take the patient ou dai* 
ly in a carriage. This seldom answers any good purpose j but often 
4ses hurt by giving him cold. 



£o4 6f the Hooping cough, 

cupful of this may be given every quarter of an hour, or ratlier every 
ten minutes, till it operates. 

When the child begins to puke, there will be no occasion for drink* 
ing any more as the water already on ihe stomach will be sufficient. 

Vomits not only cleanse the stomach, which iu this disease is gener- 
ally loaded with viscid phlegm, but they likewise promote the perspi- 
ration aud other secretions, and ought therefore to be repeated accord- 
ing to the obstinacy of the disease. They should not however be 
strong ; gentle vomits frequently repeated, are both less dangerous* 
and more beneficial than strong ones. 

The body ought to be kept gently open. The best medicines for" 
this purpose are rhubarb and its preparations, as the syrup, tincture, 
&c. Of these a tea spoonful or two may be given to an infant twice 
or thrice a-day, as there is occasion. To such as are farther advan- 
ced, the dose must be proportionally increased, and repeated till it has 
the desired effect. Those who cannot be brought to take the bitter 
tincture, may have an infusion of senna and. prunes, sweetened with 
manna, coarse sugar, or honey ; or a few grains of rhubarb mixed with 
a tea spoonful or two of syrup, or currant jelly, so as to disguise the 
taste. Most children are fond of syrups and jellies, and seldom refuse 
even a disagreeable medicine when mixed with them. 

Many people believe that oily, pectoral, and balsamic medicines 
possess wonderful virtues for the cure of the chin cough, and ac- 
cordingly exhibit them plentifully to patients of every age and consti- 
tution, without considering that every thing of this nature must load 
the stomach, hurt the digestion, and of course aggravate the disorder.* 

The millepedes, or wood-lice, are greatly recommended for the cure 
of a chin-cough. Those who choose to make use of these insects, may 
infuse two ounces of them bruised in a pint of small white- wine for one 
night. Afterwards the liquor may be strained through a cloth, aud a 
table- spoonful of it given to the patient three or four times a-day. 

Opiates are sometimes necessary to allay the violence of the cough. 
For this purpose a little of the syrup of poppies, or five, six, or seven 
drops of laudauum, according to the age of the patient, may be taken 
in a cup of hyssop or penny-royal tea, and repeated occasionally, f 

* Dr. Dcpi.anil says, he has seen many good effects from the 
kermes mineral in this complaint, the cough being frequently alleviated 
even by the first dose. The dose for a child of one year old, is a 
quarter of a grain dissolved in a cup of any liquid, repeated two or 
three times a-day. For a child of two years, the dose is half a grain : 
and the quantity must be thus increased in proportion to the age of 
the patient. 

f Some recommend the extract of hemlock as an extraordinary rem- 
edy iu the hooping-cough ; but so far as I have been able to observe, 
It is in no way superior to opium, which, when properly administered, 



m cam couatt, 20* 

The garlic ointment is a well known remedy in North- Britain for 1 
the chin-cough. It fe made, by beating in a mortar, garlic, with an 
equal quantity of hog's lard. With this the soles of the feet may be 
rubbed twice or thrice a-day ; but the best method is to spread ii upon 
a rag, and apply it in the form of a plaster. It should be renewed ev- 
ery night and morning at least, as the garlic soon loses its virtue. This 
is an exceeding good medicine both in the chin-cough,f and in most oth- 
er coughs of an obstinate nature. It ought not however to be used when 
the patient is very hot or feverish, lest it should increase these symp- 
toms. 

The feet should be bathed once every two or three days in luke- 
warm water; and a Burgundy pitch plaster kept constantly between 
the shoulders. But when the disease proves very violent, it will be 
necessary, instead of it, to apply a blistering-plaster, and to keep the 
part open for some time with issue-ointment. 

When the disease is prolonged, and the patient is free from a fever, 
the Peruvian bark, and other bitters, are the most proper medicines. 
The bark may either be taken in substance, or in a decoction or infu- 
sion, as is most agreeable. For a child, ten, fifteen, or twenty grains* 
according to the age of the patient, may be given three or four times 
a-day. For an adult, half a drachm or two scruples will be proper* 
Some give the extract of the bark with cantharides \ but to manage 
this requires considerable attention. It is more safe to give a few 
grains of castor along with the bark. A child of six or seven years 
of age may take seven or eight grains of castor, with fifteen grains of 
powdered bark* for a dose. This may be made into a mixture with 
two or three ounces of any simple distilled water, and a little syrup, and 
taken three or four times a-day. 

Will often relieve some of the most troublesome symptoms of this 
disorder. 

f As this disease is evidently spasmodic, I am inclined to think that 
wiic medicines will in time be found the most proper for its cure* 



206 INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH, &e> 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH, AND OTHER 
VISCERA. 



A LL inflammations of the bowels are dangerous, and require the 
.J~\ most speedy assistance ; as they frequently end in a suppuration, 
and sometimes in a mortification, which is certain death. 

CAUSES. — An inflammation of the stomach may proceed from any 
of the causes which produce an inflammatory fever; as cold liquor 
drank while the body is warm, obstructed perspiration, or the sudden 
striking in of any eruption. It may likewise proceed from the acri- 
mony of the bile, or from acrid and stimulating substances taken into 
the stomach; as strong vomits or purges, corrosive poisons, and such 
Jike. When the gout has been repelled from the extremities, either by 
cold or improper applications, it often occasions an inflammation of the 
stomach. Hard or indigestible substances taken into the stomach, as 
jbones, the stones of fruit, &c. may likewise have that effect. 

SYMPTOMS. — It is attended with a fixed pain and burning heat 
5n the stomach ; great restlessness and anxiety; a small, quick, and 
hard pulse ; vomiting, or, at least, a nausea and sickness ; excessive 
thirst; coldness of the extremities; difficulty of breathing; cold clam- 
my sweats; and sometimes convulsions and fainting fits. The stomach 
5s swelled, and often feels hard to the touch. One of the most certain 
signs of this disease, is the sense of pain, which the patient feels upon 
taking any kind of food or drink, especially if it be either too hot or 
too cold. 

When the patient vomits every thing he eats or drinks, is extremely 
restless, has a hickup, with an intermitting pulse, and fruquent faint- 
ing fits, the danger is very great. 

REGIMEN. — All acrimonious, heating and irritating food and 
drink, are carefully to be avoided. The weakness of the patient may 
deceive the bystanders, and induce them to give wines, spirits, or oth- 
er cordials ; but these never fail to increase the disease, and ofteu oc- 
casion suddeu death. The inclination to vomit may likewise impose 
on the attendants, and make them think a vomit necessary ; but that too 
is almost certain death. 

The fnod must be light, thin, cool, and easy of digestion. It must 
be given in small quantities, aod should neither be quite cold, nor too 
hot. This gruel made of barley or oatmeal, light toasted bread dis- 
solved in boiling water, or very weak chicken broth, is the most proper. 
The driok should be clear whey, barley-water, water in which toasted 



INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 20 7 

Bread has been boiled, or decoctions of emollient vegetables, as liquor- 
ice and marsh-mallow roots, sarsaparilla, or the like. 

MEDICLN'E. — Bleeding in this disease is absolutely necessary, and 
'is almost the only thing that can be depended on. When the disease 
proves obstinate, it will often be proper to repeat this operation sever- 
al times, nor must the low state of the pulse deter us from doing so. 
The pulse, indeed generally rises upon bleeding, and as long as that is 
the case, the operation is safe. 

Frequent fomentations with lukewarm water, or a decoction of emol- 
lient vegetables, are likewise beneficial. Flannel cloths dipped in these 
must be applied to the region of the stomach, and removed as they grow 
cool. They must neither be applied too warm, nor be suffered to con- 
tinue till they become quite cold, as either of these extremes would ag- 
gravate the disease. 

The feet and legs ought likewise to be frequently bathed in luke- 
%varm water, and warm bricks or poultices may be applied to the soles 
of the feet. The warm bath, if it can be conveniently used, will be of 
great service. 

In this, and all other inflammations of the bowels, an epispastic, or 
blistering- plaster, applied over the part affected, is one of the best rem- 
edies I know. I have often used it, and do not recollect one instance 
wherein it did not give relief to the patient. 

The only internal medicines which we shall venture to recommend 
in this disease, are mild clysters. These may be made of warm water, 
or thin water-gruel; and if the patient is costive, a little sweet oil, hon- 
ey, or manna, may be added. Clysters simswer the purpose of an in- 
ternal fomentation, while they keep the body open, and at the same 
time nourish the patient, who is often in this disease unable to retain 
any food upon his stomach. For these reasons they must not be neg- 
lected, as the patient's life may depend on them. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 

THIS is one of the most painful and dangerous diseases that mankind 
is liable to. It generally proceeds from the same causes as the inflam- 
mation of the stomach ; to which may be added costiveness, worms, eat- 
ing unripe fruits ; or great quantities of nuts, drinking hard, windy malt 
liquors, as stale bottled beer or ale, sour wine cyder, &c. It may like- 
wise be occasioned by a rupture, by schirrhous tumours of the intes- 
tines, or by their opposite sides growing together. 

The inflammation of the intestines is denominated Iliac passion, Enter- 
itis, &c. according to the uame of the parts affected. The treatment 
however is nearly the same whatever part of the intestinal canal be the 
seat of the disease ; we shall therefore omit these distinctions, lest they 
should perplex the rende-r. 



208 INFLAMMATOm OF THE INTESTINES, 

The symptoms here are nearly the same as in the foregoing disease! 
only the pain, if possible, is more acute, and is situated lower. The 
vomiting is likewise more violent, and sometimes even the excrements, 
together with the clysters, are discharged by the mouth. The pa- 
tient is continually belching up wind, and has often an obstruction of 
his urine. 

While the pain shifts, and the vomiting only returns at certain inter- 
vals, and while the clysters pass downwards, there is ground for hope ; 
but when the clysters and faces are vomited, and the patient is excee- 
ding weak, with a low fluttering pulse, a pale countenance, and a disa- 
greeable or stinking breath, there is great reason to fear that the conr 
sequences will prove fatal. Clammy sweat, black fcetid stools, with 
a small intermitting pulse, and a total cessation of pain, are signs of a 
mortification already begun, and of an approaching death. 

REGIMEN. — The regimen in this disease is in general the same 
as in an inflammation of the stomach. The patient must be kept 
quiet, avoiding cold, and all violeut passions of the mind. His food 
ought to be very light, and given in small quantities ; his drink weak, 
and diluting ; as clear whey, barley-water, and such like. 

MEDICINE. — Bleeding in this, as well as in the inflammation of 
the stomach, is of the greatest importance. It should be performed 
as soon as the symptoms appear, and must be repeated according to 
the strength of the patient, and the violence of the disease. 

A blistering plaster is here likewise to be applied immediately over 
the part where the most violent pain is. This not only relieves the 
pain of the bowels; but even clysters and purgative medicines, which 
before had no effect, will operate when the blister begins to rise. 

Fomentations and laxative clysters are by no means to be omitted. 
The patient's feet and legs should frequently be bathed in warm water ; 
and cloths dipped into it applied to his belly. Bladders filled with 
■warm water may likewise be applied to the region of the naval, and 
warm bricks, or bottles filled with warm water, to the soles of the'feet. 
The clysters may be made of barley-water or thin gruel with salt, 
and softened with sweet oil or fresh butter. These may be administer- 
ed every two or three hours, or ofteuer, if the patient continues costive. 

If the disease does not yield to clysters and fomentations, recourse 
must be had to pretty strong purgatives : but as these, by irritating the 
bowels, often increase their contraction, and by that means frustrate 
their own intention, it will be necessary to join them with opiates, 
which by allayiog the pain, and relaxing the spasmodic contractions of 
the guts, greatly assist the operation of purgatives in this case. 

What answers the purpose of opening the body very well, is a solu- 
tion of the bitter purging salts. Two ounces of these may be dissolv- 
ed in an English pint of warm water, or thin gruel, and a tea-spoonful 
of it taken every half hour till it operates. At the same time fifteen, 
twenty or twenty-five drops of laudanum may be given in a glass of 



INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. 209 

peppermint or simple cinnamon- water, to appease the irritation, and pre- 
vent the vomiting, &c. 

Acids have often a very happy effect in staying the vomiting, and 
appeasing the other violent symptoms of this disease. It will therefore 
be of use to sharpen the patient's drink with cream of tartar, juice of 
lemon ; or, when these cannot be obtained, with vinegar. 

But it often happens that no liquid whatever will stay on the stomach. 
In this case the patient must take purging pills. I have generally found 
the following answer very well : Take jallap in powder, and vitriola-r 
ted tartar, of each half a drachm, opium one graiu, Castile soap as much 
as will make the mass fit for pills. These must be taken at one dose, 
and if they do not operate in a few hours, the dose may be repeated. 

If a stool cannot be procured by any of the above means, it will be 
necessary to immerse the patient in warm water up to the breast. I 
have often seen this succeed when other means had been tried in vain. 
The patient must continue in the water as long as he can easily bear it 
without fainting, and if one immersion has not the desired effect, it may- 
be repeated as soon as the patient's strength and spirits are recruited. 
It is more safe for him to go frequently into the bath, than to continue 
too long at a time, and it is often necessary to repeat it several times 
before it has the desired effect. 

It has sometimes happened, after all other means of procuring a stool 
had been tried to no purpose, that this was brought about by immersing 
the patient's lower extremities in cold water, or making him walk on 
a wet pavement, and dashing his legs and thighs with the cold water. 
This method, when others fail, at least merits a trial. It is indeed at- 
tended with some danger ; but a doubtful remedy is better than none. 

In desperate cases it is common to give quicksilver. This may be 
given to the quantity of several ounces, or even a pound, but should 
not exceed that.* When there is reason to suspect a mortification of 
the guts, this medicine ought not to be tried. In that case it cannot 
cure the patient, and will only hasten his death- But when the ob- 
struction is occasioned by any cause that can be removed by force, 
quicksilver is not only a proper medicine, but the best that can be 
administered, as it is the fittest body we know for making its way 
through the intestinal canal. 

If the disease proceeds from a rupture, the patient must be laid with 
his head very low, and the intestines returned by gentle pressure with 
the hand. If this, with fomentations and clysters, should not succeed, 

* When quicksilver is given in too large quantities, it defeats its 
own intention, as it drags down the bottom of the stomach, which pre- 
vents its getting over the Pylorus. In this case the patient should be 
hung up by the heels, in order that the quicksilver may be discharged 
by his mouth. 



210 OF THE COLIC. 

recourse must be bail to a surgical operation, which may give tiie ]/?*• 
tient relief. 

Such as would avoid this excruciating and dangerous disease, must 
. take care never to be too loug without a stooi. Some who have died of it 
have had several pounds of hard dry faeces taken out of their gufts. 
They should likewise beware of eating too freely of sour or unripe 
fruits, or drinking stale windy liquors, &c. I have known it brought 
on by living too much on baked fruits, which are seldom good. It 
likewise proceeds frequently from cold caught by wet clothes, &c. but 
especially frcaa wet feet, 

OF THE COLIC. 

THE colic has a great resemblance to the two preceding diseases, 
both in its symptoms and method of cure. It is generally attended 
with costiveness and acute pain of the bowels; and requires diluting 
diet, evacuations, fomentations, Arc. 

Colics are variously denominated according to their causes, as the 
flatulent, the bilious, the hysteric, the nervous, &c. As each of these 
require a particular method of treatment, we shall point out their 
most general sj mptoms, and the means to be used for their relief. 

The flatulent, or wind colic, is generally occasioned by an indiscreet 
use of unripe fruits, meats of hard digestion, windy vegetables, fer- 
menting liquors, and such like. It may likewise proceed from an 
obstructed perspiration, or catching cold. Delicate people, whose 
digestive powers are weak, are most liable to this kind of colic. 

The flatulent colic may either affect the stomach or intestines. It 
is attended with a painful stretching of the affected part. The patient 
feels a rumbling in his guts, and is generally relieved by a discharge 
of wind, either upwards or downwards. The pain is seldom confiued 
to any particular part, as the vapour wanders from one division of the 
bowels to another till it finds a vent. 

When the disease proceeds from windy liquor, green fruit, sour 
herbs, or the like, the best medicine on the first appearance of the 
symptom is a dram of brandy, gin, or any good spirits. The patieut 
should likewise sit with his feet upon a warm hearth stone, or apply 
warm bricks to them ; and warm cloihs may be applied to his stomach 
and bowels. 

This is the only colic wherein ardent spirits, spiceries, or any thing 
c.- a hot nature, may be ventured upon. ]S"or indeed are they to be 
used here unless at the very beginning, before any s} mptoms of inflam- 
mation appear. We have reason to believe, that a colic occasioneel 
by wind or Hatulent food might always be cured by spirits and warm 
liquors, if they were taken immediately upon perceiving the first un- 
easiness; but when the pain has continued for a considerable time, and 
there is reason to fear an inflammation of the bowels is already begun* 



Vf THE COLIC. 2U 

pji hot things are to be avoided as poison, and the patient is to be treated 
in the same manner as for the inflammation of the intestines. 

Several kinds of food, as honey, eggs, &c. occasion colics in some 
particular constitutions. I have generally found the best method of 
cure for these, was to drink plentifully of small diluting liquors, as 
water-giuel, small posset, waier with toasted bread soaked in it, &c. 

Colics which proceed from excess and indigestion generally cure 
themselves by occasioning vomiting ot purging. These discharges 
are by no means to be stopped, but promoted by drinking plentifully 
of warm water, or weak posset. When their violence is oyer, the pa- 
tient may take a dose of rhubarb, or any other gentle purge, to carry 
off the dregs of his debauch. 

Colics which are occasioned by wet feet, or catching cold, may 
generally be removed at the beginning, by bathing the feet and legs 
in warm water, and drinking such diluting liquors as will promote 
the perspiration, as weak whey, or water gruel, with a small quantity 
of spirits in it. 

Those flatulent colics, which prevail so much among country peo- 
ple, might generally be prevented were they careful to change their 
clothes when they get wet. They ought likewise to take a dram, or 
to drink some warm liquor after eating any kind of green trash. We 
do not mean to recommend the practice of dram drinking, but in this 
case ardent spirits prove a real medicine, and indeed the best that can 
be administered. A glass of good peppermint- water will have nearly 
the same effect as a glass of brandy, and in some cases is rather to be 
preferred. 

The bilious colic is attended with very acute pains about the region cf 
the naval. The patient complains of great thrist, and is generally cos- 
tive. He vomits a hot, bitter, yellow -oloured bile, which being dis- 
charged, seems to afford some relief, but is quickly followed by the 
same violent pain as before. As the distemper advances, the propen- 
sity to vomit sometimes increases so as to become almost continual, and 
the proper motion of the intestines is so far perverted, that there are all" 
the symptoms of impending iliac passion. 

If the patient be young and strong, and the pulse fall and frequen'.* 
it will be proper to bleed, after which clysters may be administered. 
Clear whey or gruel, sharpened with the juice of lemon, or cream of 
tartar, must be drank freely. Small chicken broth, with a little manna 
dissolved in it, or a slight decoction of tamarinds, are likewise very 
proper, or any other thin, acid, opening liquor. 

Besides bleeding and plentiful dilution, it will be necessary to foment 
the beliy with cloths dipped in warm water, and if this should not suc- 
ceed, the patient must be immersed up to tlie breast in warm water. 

In the bilious colic the vomiting is often very difficult to re ■ 
strain. When this happens, the patient may drink a decoction of toast- 
ed bread, or an infusion of garden mint in boiling water. Should these 



212 OP THE COLIC 

not have the desired effect, the saline draught, with a few drops of latl* 
dajmoi in it, may be given, and repeated according to the urgency of 
the symptoms. A. small quantity of Venice treacle may be spread in 
lorm of a cataplasm, and applied to the pit of the stomach. Clysters, 
with a proper quantity of Venice treacle or liquid laudanum in them, 
may likewise be frequently administered. 

The hysteric colic bears a great resemblance to the bilious. It is 
attended with acute pains about the region of the stomach, vomiting, 
&c. What the patient vomits in this case is commonly of a greeuish 
colour. There is a great sinking of the spirits, with dejection of 
mind and difficulty of breathing, which are the characteristic symp- 
toms of this disorder. Sometimes it is accompanied with the jaundice, 
but this generally goes off of its own accord in a few days. 

In this colic all evacuations, as bleeding, purging, vomiting, &c. do 
hurt. Every thing that weakens the patient, or sinks the sprits, is to 
be avoided. If however the vomitiug should prove violent, luke 
warm water, or small posset, may be drank to cleanse the stomach. 
Afterwards the patient may take fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five drops 
of liquid laudanum in a glass of cinnamon-water. This may be re- 
peated every tenor twelve honrs till the symptoms abate. 

The patient may likewise take four or five of the foetid pills every 
six hours, and drink a cup of penny-royal tea after them. If asafceti- 
da should prove disr-greeable, which is sometimes the case, a tea-spoon- 
fid of the tincture of castor in a cup of penny royal tea, or thirty or 
forty drops of the balsam of Peru dropped upon a bit of loaf sugar 
may be taken in its stead. The anti-hysteric plaster may also be used 
which has often a good effect. 

The nervous colic prevails among miners, smelters of lead, plumb- 
ers, the manufacturers of white had, &c. It is very common in the 
cyder counties of England, and is supposed to be occasioned by the 
leaden vessels used in preparing that liquor. It is likewise a fre- 
quent disease in the West-Indies, where it is termed the diy belly-ache. 

No disease of the bowels is attended with more excruciating pain 
than this. Nor is it toon at an end. I have known it continue eight 
or ten days with very little intermission, the body all the while con- 
tinuing bound in spite of medicine, yet at length yield, and the patient 
recover.* It generally however, leaves the patient weak, and often 
ends in a palsy. 

The general treatment of this disease is so nearly the same with that 
of the iliac passion, or iuflammaiion of the guts, that we shall not insist 

* As the smoke of tobacco thrown into the bowels will often pro- 
cure a stool when all other means have failed, an apparatus for this 
purpose ought to be kept by every surgeon. It may be purchased at 
a small expense, and will be of service in several ether cases, as the 
recover}- of drowned persons, &c 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 215 

Upon it. The body is to be opened by mild purgatives given in small 
doses, and frequently repeated, and their operation must be assisted 
by soft oily clysters, fomentations, &c. The castor oil is reckoned 
peculiarly proper in this disease. It may both be mixed with the clys- 
ters and given by the mouth. f 

The Barbadoes tar is said to be an efficacious medicine in this com- 
plaint. It may be taken to the quantity of two drachms three times 
a-day, or ofteaer if the stomach will bear it. This tar, mixed with an 
«qual quantity of strong rum, is likewise proper for rubbing the spine, 
in case any tingling or other symptoms of the palsy are felt. When 
the tar cannot be obtained, the back may be rubbed with strong spirits, 
or a little oil of nutmegs, or of rosemary. 

If the patient remains weak and languid after this disease, he must 
take exercise on horseback, and use an infusion of the Peruvian-bark 
in wine. When the disease ends in a palsy, the Bath- waters are found 
to be extremely proper. 

To avoid this kind of colic, people must shun all sour fruits, acids, 
and austere liquors, &c. Those who work in lead Wight never to go 
to their busiuess fasting, and their food should be oily or fat. They 
may take a glass of sallad oil, with a little brandy or rum, every morn- 
ing, but should never take spirits alone. Liquid aliment is best for 
them ; as fat broths, Arc but low living is bad. They should frequent- 
ly go a little out of the tainted air ; and should never suffer themselves 
to be costive. In the West-Indies and on the coast of Guinea, it has 
been found of great use for preventing this colic, to wear a piece of 
flannel round the waist, and to drink an infusion of ginger by way of tea. 

Sundry other kinds of this disease might be mentioned, but too ma- 
ay distinctions would tend only to perplex the reader. Those already 
mentioned are the most material, and should indeed be attended to, as 
their treatment is very different. But even persons who are not in a 
condition to distinguish very accurately in these matters, may never- 
theless be of great service to patients in colics of every kind, by only 
observing the following general rules, viz. To bathe the feet and legs 
in warm water; to apply bladders filled with warm water; or cloths 
wrung out of it, to the stomach and bowels ; to make the patient drink 
freely of diluting mucilaginous liquors ; and to give him an emollient 
clyster every two or three hours. Should these not succeed, the pa- 
tient ought to be immersed in warm water. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

CAUSES. — This disease may proceed from any of those causes 
which produce an inflammatory fever. It may likewise be occasion- 

f The doae is from one table-spoonful to two or three, if necessary 
tm open the body. 



21 -4 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

ed by wounds or bruises of the kidneys ; small stones or gravel lodg- 
ing within them ; by Strong diuretic medicines, as spirits of turpentine, 
tincture of candiarides, &c. Violent motion, as hard riding or walk- 
ing, especially in he' weather, or whatever drives the blood too forci- 
bly into the kidneys, may occasion the malady. It may likewise pro- 
ceed from 1} ing too soft, too much on the back, involuntary contrac- 
tions, or spasms in the urinary vessels, &c. 

SYMPTOMS. — There is a sharp pain about the region of the 
kidneys, with some degree of fever, and a stupor or dull pain in the 
thigh ofthe affected side. The mine is at first clear, and afterwards 
of a reddish colour ; but in the worst kind ofthe. disease it generally 
continues pale, is passed with difficulty, and commonly in small quan- 
tities at a time. The patient feels great uneasiness when he endeav- 
ours to walk or sit upright. He lies with most case on the affected 
side, and has generally a nausea or vomiting, resembling that which 
happens in the colic 

This disease however may be distinguished from the colic by the 
pain being seated farther back, and by the difficulty of passing urine 
•with which it is constantly attended. 

REGIMEN. — Every thing of a heating or stimulating nature is to 
be avoided. The foed must be thin and light; as panado, small 
broths, with mild vegetables, and the like. Emollient and thin liquors 
must be plentifully drank ; as clear whey, or balm- tea sweetened with 
boney, decoction of marsh mallow roots : with barley and liquorice, 
«fcc. The patient, notwithstanding the vomiting, must constantly keep 
sipping small quantities of these or other diluting liquors. Nothing 
«o safely and certainly abates the inflammation, and expel's the ob- 
structing cause, as copious dilution. The patient must be kept easy, 
cjuiet, and free from cold, as long as any symptoms of inflammation 
tremain. 

MEDICINE — Bleeding is generally necessary, especially at the 
beginning. Ten or twelve otmcers may be let from the arm or foot 
■with p. lancet, and if the pain and inflammation continue, the operation 
may be repeated in twenty four hours, especially if the patient be of 
a full habit. Leeches may likewise be applied to the hemorrhoidal 
veins, as a discharge from these will geatly relieve the patient. 

Cloths dipped in warm water, or bladders filled with it, must be ap- 
plied as near as possible to the part affected, and renewed as they grow 
«ool. If the bladders be filled with a decoction of mallows and camomile 
flowers, to which a little saffron is added, and mixed with about a 
third part of new milk, it will be still more beneficial. 

Emollient clysters ought frequently to be administered ; and if these 
do not open the body, a little salt and honey or manna may be added to 
them. 

The same course is to be followed where gravel or stone is lodzed 
»c the kidney, but when the gravel or stone is separated from the kid- 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 2'1> 

»ey, and lodges io the Ureter,* it will be propel", besides the fomenta- 
tions, to rub the small of the back with sweet oi!, and to give gentle 
diuretics ; as juniper-water, sweetened with the syrup of marsh-mal- 
lows : a tea-spoonful of the sweet spirits of nitre, with a few drops of 
laudanum, may now and then be put in a cup of the patient's drink. He 
ought likewise to take estercise on horseback, or in a carriage, if he 
be able to bear it. 

Whcj tiie disease is protracted beyond the seventh or eighth days. 
and the patient complains of a stupor and heaviness of the part, has 
frequent returns of dullness, shivering, &c. there is reason to suspect 
that matter is forming in the kidney, and that an abscess will ensue. 

When matter in the urine shews that an ulcer is already formed in- 
the kidney, the patient must be careful to abstain from all acrid, sour 
and salted provisions, and to live chiefly upon mild mucilaginous herbs 
and fruits, together with the broth of young animals, made with bar- 
ley, and common pot herbs, &c. His drink may be whey, and but- 
ter milk that is Dot sour- The latter is by some reckoned a specific 
remedy in ulcers of the kidneys. To answer tbijS character however 
it must be drank tor a considerable time. Chalybeate waters have 
likewise been found beneficial in this disease. This medicine is easily 
obtained, as it is fouud in every part of Great- Britian. It must like- 
wise be used for a considerable time, iu order to produce any salutary- 
effects. 

Those who are liable to frequent returns of inflammation, or obstruc- 
tions of the kidneys, must abstain from wines, especially such as 
abound with tartar; and their food ought to be light, and of easy diges- 
tion. They should use moderate exercise, and should not lie too hot^ 
nor too much on their back. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 

THE inflammation of the bladder proceeds, in a great measure, 
from the same causes as that of the kidneys. It is known by an acute 
pain towards the bottom of the belly, and difficulty of passing urine, with 
some degree of fever, a constant inclination to go to stool, and a perpet- 
ual desire to make water. 

This disease must be treated on the same principles as the one im- 
mediately preceding. The diet must be light and thin, and the drink 
of a cooling nature. Bleeding is very proper at the beginning, and u> 
robust constitutions it will often be necessary to repeat it. The lower ' 
part of the belly should he fomented with warm water or a decoction 

* The ureters are two long and small canals, one on each side which 
carry the urine from the bason of the kidneys to the bladder. They 
are sometimes obstructed by small pieces of gravel falling down from'- 
the- kidneys,, and lodging in them. 



216 INFLAMMATION OF THE LIFER. 

of mild vegetables ; and emollient clysters ought frequently to be ad- 
ministered, &c. 

The patient should abstain from every thing that is of a hot, acrid 
and stimulating quality, and should live entirely upon small broths, 
gruels, or mild vegetables. 

A stoppage of urine may proceed from other, causes besides an in- 
flammation of the bladder ; as a swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins, 
hard faces lodged iu the rectum, a stone in the bladder, excrescences 
in the uriuary passages, a palsy of the bladder, hysteric affections, <fcc. 
Each of these require a particular treatment, which does not fall under 
our present consideration. We shall only observe, that in all of them 
mild and gentle applications are the safest, as strong diuretic medicines, 
or things of an irritating nature, generally increase the danger. I have 
known some persons kill themselves by introducing probes into the 
uriuary passages, to remove, as they thought, somewhat that obstruct- 
ed the discharge of urine, and others bring on a violent inflammation of 
the bladder, by using strong diuretics, as oil of turpentine, &c. for 
that purpose. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIFER. 

THE liver is less subject to inflammation than most of the other 
viscera, as in it the circulation issfbwer; but when an iuflammatioa 
does happen, it is with difficulty removed, and often ends in a suppura- 
tion or scirrhus. 

CAUSES. — Besides the common causes of inflammation, we may 
here reckon the following, viz. excessive fatness, a scirrhus of the liv- 
er itself, violent shocks from strong vomits when the liver was belore 
unsound, an adust or atrabiliarian state of the blood, any thing that 
suddenly cools the liver after it has been greatly heated, stones ob- 
structing the course of the bile, drinking strong wines and spirituous 
liquors, using hot spicy aliment, obstinate hypochondrical affections, 
<fcc 

SYMPTOMS. — This disease is known by a painful tension of the 
right side under the false ribs, attended with some degree of fever, a 
sense of weight or fulness of the part, difficulty of breathing, loathing 
of food, great thirst, with a pale or yellowish colour of the skin and 
eyes. 

The symptoms here are various, according to the degree of inflamma- 
tion, and likewise according to the particular part of the liver where the 
inflammation happens. Sometimes the pain is so inconsiderable, that au 
inflammation is not so much as suspected ; but when it happens in the 
upper or convex part of the liver, the pain is more acute, the pulse 
quicker, and the patient is often troubled with a dry cough, a hickup, 
aud a pain extending to the shoulder, with difficulty of lying en tk« 
left side, &c. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIFER. 21? 

This disease may be distinguished from the pleurisy, by the pain 
being less violent, seated under the false ribs, the pulse not so hard, 
and by the difficulty of lying on the left side. It may be distinguish- 
ed from the hysteric and hypochondriac disorders by the degree of 
fever with which it is always attended. 

This disease ii" properly treated, is seldom mortal. A constant 
hickuping, violent fever, and excessive thirst, are bad symptoms. If 
it ends in a suppuration, and the matter cannot be discharged out- 
wardly, the danger is great. When the scirrhus of the liver ensues, 
the patient, if he observes a proper regimen, may nevertheless live 
a number of years tolerably easy ; but if he indulges in animal food 
and strong liquors, or take medicines of an acrid or irritating nature, 
the scirrhus will be converted into a cancer, which must infallibly 
prove fatal. 

REGIMEN— The same regimen is to be observed in this as in 
other inflammatory disorders. All hot things are to be carefully 
avoided, and cool diluting liquors, as whey, barley-water, &c. drank 
freely. The food must be light and thin, and the body as well as the 
mind, kept easy and quiet. 

MEDICINE. — Bleeding is proper at the beginning of this disease, 
and it will often be necessary, even though the pulse should not feel 
hard, to repeat it. All violent purgatives are to be avoided ; the bo- 
dy however must be kept gently open. A decoction of tamarinds, 
with a little honey or manna, will answer this purpose very well. 
The side affected must be fomented in the manner directed in the fore- 
going disease. Mild laxative clysters should be frequently adminis- 
tered ; and, if the pain should notwithstanding continue violent, a blis- 
tering plaster may be applied over the part affected ; or rather a plas- 
ter made of gum ammoniac and vinegar of squills. 

Medicines which promote the secretion of urine have a very good 
effect here. For this purpose half a drachm of puiified nitre, or a 
tea-spoonful of the sweet spirits of nitre, may be taken in a cup of the 
patient's drink three or four times a day. 

When there is an inclination to sweat, it ought to be promoted, but 
not by warm sudoriftcs. The only thing lo be used for that purpose, 
is plenty of diluting liquors drank about the warmth of the human 
blood. Indeed the patient in this case, as well as in all other topical 
inflammations, ought to drink nothing that is colder than the blood. 

If the stools should be loose, and even streaked with blood, no means 
must be used to stop them, unless they be so frequent as to weaken 
the patient. Loose stoote often prove critical, and carry off the dis- 
ease. 

If an abscess or imposthume is formed in the liver, all methods should 
be tried to make it break and discharge itself outwardly, as foment e- 
tions, the application of poultices, ripening cataplasms, &c. Some- 
times indeed the matter of an abscess comes away in the urine, and 
22 



m or TBE CHOLERA MORBUS, £e: 

♦omelimes it is discharged by stool, but these are efforts of naftttw 
which no means can promote. When (he abscess bursts into the cavity 
of the abdomen at large, deal!) must ensue, nor will the event be morr; 
favourable when the abscess is opened by an incision, uuless in cases 
where the liver adheres to the ptritonceum, so as to form a bag for the 
matter, and prevent it from falling into the cavity T*f the abdomen:- \n 
which case opening the abscess by a sufficiently large incision will 
probably save the patient's life * 

If the disorder, in spite of all endeavours to the contrary, should 
end in a scirrhus, the patient must be careful to regulate his diet, &c. 
in 6uch a manner as not to aggravate the disease. He must not in- 
dulge in flesh, fish-, strong liquors, or any highly seasoned or salted 
provisions;, but should, for the most part, live on mi'd vegetables; as 
fruits and roots; taking gentle exercise, and drinking whey, barley- 
water, or buttermilk. If he takes any thing stronger, it' should be fint- 
mild ale, which is less heating than wir.es or spirits. 

We shall take no notice of inflammations of the other viscera. 
They must in general be treated upon the same principles as those 
already meutioned. The chief rule with respect to ail of them, is to 
let blood, to avoid every thing that is strong, or of a heating nature, 
to apply warm fomentations to the par's affected, and to cause the gfc» 
tieut'U) driuk a sufficient quantity of warm diluting liquors, 



CHAPTER XXXIL 



OF THE CHOLERA MORBUS, AND OTHER EXCESSIVE 
DISCHARGES FROM THE STOMACH AXD BOWELS. 



THE cholera morhus is a violent, purging and vomiting, attended 
with gripes, sickness, and a constant desire to go to stool It 
eomes on suddenly, and is most common in autumn. Theje is hard ly 
any disease that kills more quickly than this, when proper means are 
not used in due time for removing it. 

CAUSES — It is occasioned by a redundancy and putrid acrimony 
of the bile; cold, food that easily turns rancid or sonr on the stomach; 
as butter, bacon, sweet meats, cucumbers, melons, cherries, and other 

* I know a gentleman who has had several abscesses of the liver 
opened, and is bow a strong antl healthy man, though above eighty 
years of age. 



'OF THE CHOLERA MORBUS, &: 2Tl$ 

cold Fruits.* It is sometimes the effect of strong acrid purges or vom- 
ats, or of poisonous substances taken into the stomach. It may like- 
wise proceed from violent passions or affections of the mind ; as fear,, 
anger, etc. 

SYMPTOMS. — It is generally preceded by a cardialgia, or heart 
bum, sour belchings, and flatulencies, with pain of the stomach and 
intestines. To these succeed excessive vomiting and purging of green, 
yellow, or blackish colored bile, with a distention of the stomach, and 
violent griping pains. There is likewise a great thirst, with a very 
-quick unequal pulse, and often a fixed acute pain about the region of 
the navel. As the disease advances, the pulse often sinks so low as 
to become quite imperceptible, the extremities grow cold or cramped, 
and are often covered with a clammy sweat, the urine is obstructed, 
and there is a palpitation of the heart. A r ioleut hickuping, fainting, 
and convulsions, are the signs of approaching death. 

MEDICINE.— At the beginning of this disease, the efforts of Na- 
ture to expel the offending cause should be assisted, by promoting the 
purging and vomiting. For this purpose the patient must drink freely 
of diluting liquors ^ as whey, butter-milk, -warm water, thin water- 
gruel, small posset, or, what is perhaps preferable to any of them, very 
weak chicken bz-oth. This should not only be drank plentifully to 
promote the vomiting, but a clyster of it given every hour in order to 
.promote the purging. 

After these evacuations have been continued for some time, a decoc- 
tion of toasted oat-bread may be drank to stop the vomiting. The 
bread should be toasted till it is of a brown colour, and afterwards 
boiled iu spring water. If oat-bread cannot be had, wheat-bread, or 
oat-meal well toasted, may be used in its stead. If this does not put a 
stop to the vomiting, 4wo table-spoonsful of the saline julep, with tea 
drops of laudanum, may be takeu every hour till it ceases. 

The vomiting aud purging however ought never to be stopped too 
soon. As long as these discharges do not weaken the patient, they 
are salutary, and may be allowed to go on, or rather ought to be pro- 
moted. But when the patient is weakened by the evacuations, which 
may be known from the sinking of his pulse, &c. recourse must imme- 
diately be had to opiates, as recommended above ; to which may be 
added strong wines, with spirituous cinnamon waters, and other gene- 
rous cordials. Warm negus, or strong wine-whey, will likewise be 
jiecessary to support the patient's spirits, and promote the perspiration. 
His legs should be bathed in warm water, and afterwards rubbed with 
ilannel cloths, or wrapped in warm blankets, aud warm bricks applied 
to the soles of his feet. Flannels wrung out of warm spirituous fo- 
mentations should likewise be applied to the region of the stomach. 

* I have been twice brought to the gates of death by this disease^ 
aod both times it was occasioned by eating raocid bacon. 



22© r 0F J DIARRHOEA, OR LOOSENESS. 

When the violence of the disease is over, to preveut a relapse, it 
will be uecessarv for some time to continue the use of small doses of 
laudanum. Ten or twelve drops may be taken in a glass of wine, a* 
least twice a-day, for eight or ten days. The patient's food ought to 
be nourishing, but taken in small quantities, and he should use moder- 
ate exercise. As the stomach and inteatines are generally much weak- 
ened, an infusion of the bark, or other bitters, in small wiue, sharpened 
with the elixir of vitriol, may be drank for some time. 

Though physicians are seldom called in due time in this disease, 
they ought not to despair of relieving the patient even in the most des- 
perate circumstances. Of this I lately saw a very striking proof iu 
an old mau and his son, who had been both seized with it about the 
middle of the night. I did not see them till next morning, when they 
had much more the appearance of dead than of living men. No pulse 
could be felt ; the extremities were cold and rigid, the countenance 
was ghastly, and the strength almost quite exhausted. Yet from this 
deplorable condition they were both recovered by the use of opiates* 
and cordial medicines. 

OF A DIARRHOEA, OR LOOSENESS. 

A LOOSENESS, iu many cases, is not to be considered as a die- 
C?se, but rather as a salutary evacuation. It ought therefore never 
to be stopped, unless when it continues too long, or evidently weakens 
the patient. As this however sometimes happens, we shall point out 
the most common causes of a looseness, with a proper method of treat- 
ment. 

When a looseness is occasioned by catching cold, or an obstructed 
perspiration, the patient ought to keep warm, to drink freely of weak 
diluting liquors, to bathe his feet aud legs, frequently in hike warm 
■water, to wear flannel next his skin, and to take every other method 
to restore the perspiration. 

In a looseness which proceeds from excess or repletion, a vomit is 
the proper medicine. Vomits not only cleanse the stomach, but pro- 
mote all the secretions, which renders them of great importance in car- 
vying off a debauch. Half a drachm of ipecacuanha in powder will 
answer this purpose very well. A day or two alter the vomit, the 
same quantity of rhubarb may be taken, and repeated two or three 
times, if the looseness continues. The patient ought to live upon light 
vegetable food of easy digestion, and to drink whey, thin gruel, or 
barley-water. 

A looseness occasioned by the obstruction of any customary evacu- 
ation, generally requires bleeding. If that does not succeed, other 
evacuations may be substituted in the room of those which are obstruct- 
ed. At the same time, every method is to be taken to restore the 



OF A DIARRHOEA, OR LOOSENESS. 221 

usual discharges, as not only the cure of the disease, but the patieot'e 
life, may depend on this. 

A periodical looseness ought never to be stopped. It is always an 
effort of Nature to carry off some offending matter, which, if retained 
in the body, might have fatal effects. Children are very liable to 
this kind of looseness, especially while teething. It is however so far 
from being hurtful to them, that such children generally get their teeth 
with least trouble. If these loose stools should at any time prove sour 
or griping, a tea spoonful of ragoesia alba, with four or five grains of 
rhubarb, may be . given to the child in a little paflado, or any other 
food. This, if repeated three or four times, will geuerally correct the 
acidity, and carry off the griping stools. 

A diarrhoea or looseness, which proceeds from violent passions or 
affections of the mind, must be treated with the greatest caution. Vom- 
its in this case are highly improper. Nor are purges safe, unless 
they be very mild, and given in small quantities. Opiates, and other 
antispasmodic medicines, are most proper. Ten or twelve drops of 
liquid laudanum may be taken in a cup of valerian or penny-royal 
tea every eight or ten hours, till the symptoms abate. Ease, cheer- 
fulness, and tranquility of mind are here of the greatest importance. 

When a looseness proceeds from acrid or poisonous substances taken 
into the stomach, the patient must drink large quantities of diluting 
liquors, with oil or fat broths, to promote vomiting and purging. After- 
wards, if there be reason to suspect that the bowels are inflamed, 
foleeding will be necessary. Small doses of laudanum may likewise 
foe taken to remove their irritation. 

When the gout, repelled from the extremities, occasions a looseness, 
it ought to be promoted by gentle doses of rhubarb, or other mild pur- 
gatives. The gouty matter is likewise to be solicited towards the ex- 
tremities by warm fomentations, cataplasms, &c. The perspiration 
ought at the same time to be promoted by warm diluting liquors ; as 
wine whey with spirits of heartshorn, or a few drops of liquid lauda* 
ituim, in it. 

When a looseness proceeds from worms, which .may be known from 
the sliminess of the stools, mixed with pieces of decayed worms, &c. 
medicines must be given to kill and carry off these vermin, as the pow- 
der of tin with purges of rhubarb and calomel. Afterwards lime-wa- 
ter, either alone, or with a small quantity of rhubarb infused, will be 
proper to strengthen the bowels, and prevent the new generation of 
worms. 

A looseness is often occasioned by drinking bad water. When this 
is the case, the disease geuerally proves epidemical. When there is 
reason to believe that this or any other disease proceeds from the use 
of unwholesome water, it ought immediately to be changed, or, if that 
cannot be done, it may be corrected by mixing with it quick lime, 
•halk, or the like. 



222 OF VOMITING. 

In people whose stomachs are weak, violent exercise immediately" 
after eating will occasion a looseness. Though the cure of this is ob- 
yiotis, yet it will be proper, besides avoiding violent exercise, to use 
such medicines as tend to brace aGd strengthen the stomachs asiufus'.ons 
of the bark, with other bitter and astringent ingredients, in white wine. 
Such persons ought likewise to take frequently a glass or two of old 
red port, or guod claret. 

.From whatever tause a looseness proceeds, when it is found neces- 
sary to check if, the diet ought to consist of rice boiled with milk, 
and flavoured with cinnamou ; rice-jelly, sago with red port; and the 
lighter sorts of flesh-meat roasted. The driuk may be thin water- 
gruel, rice-water, or weak broth made from lean veal, or with a sheep's 
head, as being more gelatinous than mutton, beef, or chicken broth. 

Persons who, from a peculiar weakness, or too great an irritability 
•f the bowtU, are liable to frequent returns of this disease, should live 
temperately, avoiding crude summer fruits, all unwholesome foods, 
and meats of hard digestion. The> ought likewise to beware of cold 
moiftHre P or whatever may obstruct the perspiration, an! should wear 
flannel nert the skin. All violent passicus, as fear, anger, Sic. are like* 
wise carefully to be guarded fgniust. 

OF VOMITING. 

VOMITING may proceed from various causes; as excess in eat' 
ing and drinking; foulness of ttoe stomach; the acrimony of the ali- 
ment; a translation of 'ie morbific matter of ulcere, of (he gout, the 
erysipelas, or other diseases, to the stomach. It may likewise proceed 
from a looseness having been too suddebh stopped ; from the stoppage 
of any customary evacuation, as the bleeding piles, the menses, &c. 
from a weakness of the stomach, the colic, the iliac passion, a rupture, 
a fit of the gravel, worms ; or from any kind of poison taken into the 
stomach. It is an usual symptom of injuries done to the brain; as 
contusions, compressions, &c. It is likewise a symptom of M-ounds 
©r inflammations of the diaphragm, intestines, spleen, liver, kidneys, 
&c. 

Vomiting may be occasioned by unusual motions, as sailing, being 
drawn backwards in a carriage, Arc. It may likewise be excited by 
violent passions, or by the idea, of nauseous or disagreeable objects 
especially of such things as have formerly produced vomiting. Some- 
times it proceeds from a regurgitation of the bile into the stomach : in 
this case, what the patient vomits is generally of a yellow or greenish 
colour, and has a bitter taste. Persons who are subject to nervous 
affections are often suddenly siezed with violent fits of vomiting. 
Lastly, vomiting is a common symptom of pregnancy. In this ca6e it 
generally comes on about two weeks after the stoppage cf the memes, 
and continues during the first three or four months. 



OF VOMITING. 22$ 

When vomiting proceeds from a foul stomach or indigestion, it m 
»ot to be considered as a disease, but as the cure of a disease. It 
ought therefore to be promoted by drinking lukewarm water, or thia 
gruel, ft' this does not put a stop to the vomiting, a dose of ipecac- 
uanha may be taken, and worked off with weak camomile-tea. 

When the retrocession of the gout, or the obstruction of customary- 
evacuations, occasion vomiting, all means must be used to restore 
these discharges f or, if that cannot be effected, their place must bo 
supplied by others, as bleeding, purging, bathing the extremities in 
warm water, opening issues, setons, perpetual blisters, &c. 

When vomiting is the effect of pregnancy, it may generally be 
mitigated by bleeding, and keeping the body gently open. The 
bleeding however ought to be in small quantities at a time, and the 
purgatives should be of the mildest kiud, as figs, stewed prunes, man- 
na, or senna. Pregnant women are most apt to vomit in the morning 
immediately after getting out of bed, which is owing partly to the 
change of posture, but more to the emptiness of the stomach. It may 
generally be prevented by taking a disii of coffee, tea or some light 
breakfast in bed. Pregnant women who are aiflicted with vomiting, 
©ught to be kept easy both in body and mind. They should neither 
allow their stomachs to be quite empty, nor should they eat much at 
once. Cold water is a very proper drink iu this case ; if the stomach 
be weak, a* little brandy may be added to it. If the spirits are low, 
and the person apt to faint, a spoonful of cinnamon- water, with a little 
marmalade of quinces or oranges, may be taken. 

If vomiting proceeds from weakness of the stomach, bitters will be 
of service.. Peruvian bark infused in wine or brandy, with as much 
rhubarb as will keep the body gently open, is an excellent medicine in 
this case. The elixir of vitriol is also a good medicine. It may be 
taken in the dose of fifteen or twenty drops, twice or thrice a- day, iu 
a glass of wine or water. Habitual vomitings are sometimes allevia- 
ted by making oysters a principle part of diet. 

A vomiting which proceeds from acidities in the stomach, is relieved 
by alkaline purges. The best medicine of this kind is the magnesia 
alba, a tea-spoonful of which may be taken in a dish of tea or a little 
milk, three or four times a- day, or oftener if necessary, to keep the 
feody open* 

When vomiting proceeds from violent passions, or affections of the 
mind, all evacuants must be carefully avoided, especially vomits. 
These are exceedingly dangerous. The patient in this case ought 
to be kept perfectly easy and quiet, to have the mind soothed, and to 
take some gentle cordial, as negus, or a little brandy and water, lo 
which a few drops of laudanum may occasionally be added. 

When vomiting proceeds from spasmodic affections of the stomach, 
wmsk castor, and other antispasmodic medicines are of use. Warm 
and aromatic plasters have likewise a good effect. The stomach- 



224 OF THE DIABETES, &e. 

plaster of the London or Edinburgh dispensatory may be applied 
to the pit of the stomach, or a piaster of theriaca, which will an- 
swer rather better. Aromatic medicines may likewise be taken inward- 
ly, as cinnamon or mint tea, wine with spiceries boiled in it, &c. The 
region of the stomach may be rubbed with aether, or if that cannot be 
had, with strong brandy or other spirits The belly should be fo- 
mented with warm water, or the patient immersed up to the breast in 
a warm bath. 

I have always found the saliue draughts taken in the act of efferves- 
cence, of singular use in stopping of vomiting, from whatever cause 
it proceeded. These may be prepared by dissolving a drachm of the 
salt of tartar in an ounce and a half of fresh lemon juice, and adding 
to it an ounce of pepper-mint water, the same quantity of simple cinna- 
mon water, and a little white sugar. This draught must be swallowed 
before the effervescence is quite over, and may be repeated even two 
hours, or oftener, if the vomiting be violent. A violent vomiting has 
sometimes been stopped by cupping on the region of the stomach after 
all other means hail failed. 

As the least motion will often bring on the vomiting again, even after 
it has been stopped, the patient must avoid all manner of action. The 
diet must be so regulated as to sit easy upon the stomach, and nothing 
should be taken that is hard of digestion. We do not however mean 
that the patient should live entirely upon slops. Solid food, in this 
case, often sits easier on the stomach than liquids. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



OF THE DIABETES, AND OTHER DISORDERS OF THE 
KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 

THE diabetes is a frequent and excessive discharge of urine. It 
is seldom to be met with among young people ; but often attacks 
persons in the decline of life, especially those who follow the more 
violent employments, or have been hard drinkers in their youth. 

CAUSES. — A diabetes is often the consequence of acute diseases, 
as fevers, fluxes, &c. where the patient has suffered by excessive 
evacuations; it may also be occasioned by great fatigue as riding long 
journies upon a hard trotting horse, carrying heavy burdens. Sec. It 
may be brought on by hard drinking, or the use of strong stimulating 
diuretic medicines, as tincture of cantharides, spirits of turpentine, audi 
such like. It is often the effect of drinking too great quantities of rui*- 



OF THE DIABETES, &c. 22* 

£ral waters. Many imagine that these will do them no service unless 
they be drank in great quantities, by which mistake it often happens 
lhat they occasion worse diseases than those they were intended to cure. 
In a word, this disease mayeither proceed from too great a laxity of the 
organ, which secrete the urine, from something that stimulates the kid- 
neys too much, or from a thin dissolved state of the blood, which 
makes too great a quantity of it run off by the urinary passages. 

SYMPTOMS.— In a diabetes, the urine generally exceeds in quan- 
tity all the liquid food which the patient takes. It is thin and pale, of a 
sweetish taste, and an agreeable smell. The patient has a continued 
thirst, with some degree of fever : his mouth is dry, and he spits fre- 
quently a frothy spittle. The strength fails, the appetite decays, and 
the flesh wastes away till the patient is reduced to skin and bone- 
There is a heat of the bowels, and frequently the loins and feet are 
swelled. 

This disease may generally be cured at the beginning ; but after it 
has continued long, the cure becomes very difficult. In drunkards, 
and very old people, a perfect cure is not to be expected. 

REGIMEN.--Eyery thing that stimulates the urinary passages, or 
tends to relax the habit, must be avoided. For this reason the patient 
should live chiefly on solid food. His thirst may be quenched with 
acids ; as sorrel, juice of lemon, qr vinegar. The mucilaginous vegeta- 
bles, as rice, sago, and salop, with milk, are the most proper food. Of 
animal substances, shell fish are to be prefered ; as oysters, crabs, &c. 
The drink may be Bristol- water. When that cannot be obtained, 
Jirae-water, in which a due proportion of oak bark has been macer- 
ated, may be used. The white decoction, with isinglass dissolved in 
it, is likewise a very proper drink. 

The patient ought daily to take exercise, but it should be so gentle 
as not to fatigue him. He should lie upon a hard bed or matrass. 
Nothing hurts the kidneys more than lying too soft. A warm dry air, 
the use of a flesh 7 brush, and every thing that promotes perspiration 
is of service. For this reason the patient ought to wear flannel next to 
his skin. A large strengthening plaster may be applied to the" back ; 
or, what will answer better, a great part of the body may be wrapped 
in plaster. 

MEDICINE. — Gentle purges, if the patient be not too much 
weakened by the disease, have a good effect. They may consist of 
rhubarb, with cardamum seeds, or any other spiceries, infused in 
wine, and may be taken in such quantities as to keep the body gently 
open. 

The patient must next have recourse to astringents and corroborants. 
Half a drachm of powder made of equal parts of alum and the inspis- 
sated juice commonly called Terra Japonica, may be taken four times 
a-day, or oftener, if the stomach will bear it. The alum must first be 
melted in a crucible, afterwards they mav both be pounded together, 
29 



22-6 OF A SUPPRESSION. OF URINE. 

Along willi every dose of this powder the patient may take a tea-cup- 
ful of the tincture of roses. 

If the patient's stomach cannot bear the alum in substance, whey 
may be made of it, and taker, in the dose of a tea-cupful three or four 
times a-khxy. The alum whey is prepared by boiling two English 
quarts of milk over a slow fire, with three drachms of alum, till the 
curd separates 

Opiates are of service in this disease, even though the patient rests 
well. They take off spasm and irritatioD, and at the same time lessen 
the force of the circulation. Ten or twelve drops of liquid laudanum 
may be taken iu a cup of the patient's drink three or foirr times a-day. 
The hot corroborants which we know, are the Peruvian bark, and 
wine. A drachm of bark may be taken in a glass of red pert or claret 
three times a day. The medicine will be buih more efficacious 
and less disagreeable, if fifteen or twenty drops of the acid elixir of 
vitriol be added to each dose. Such as cannot take the bark in sub- 
stance may use the decoction, mixed with an equal quantity of red 
wine, aud sharpened as above. 

There is a disease incident to labouring people in the decline of life, 
called incontinence of urine. But this is very different from a 
diabetes, as the water passes off involuntarily by drops, and does not 
exceet the usual quantity. This disease is rather troublesome than 
dangerous. It ia owing to a relaxation of the &phiacture of the bladder 
and is often the effect of a palsy. Sometimes it proceeds from hurts 
or injuries occasioned by blows, bruises, preternatural labours, &c« 
Sometimes it is the effect of a fever. It may likewise be occasioned 
by a long use of strong diuretics, or of stimulating medicines injected 
into the bladder. 

This disease may be mitigated by the use of astringent and corroba- 
rating mediciues, such as have been mentioned above ; but we do uot 
remember ever to have seeu it cured- 

In an iucontinency of urine, from whatever cause, a piece of sponge 
ought to be worn, or a bladder applied in such a manner as to prevent 
the urine, from galling and excoriating the parts.* 

OF A SUPPRESSION OF. URINE. 

IT has already been observed that a suppression of urine may pro- 
ceed from various causes; as au inflammation of the kidneys or blad- 
der; small stones or gravel lodging in the urinary passages, hard faces 
l)'wi<r in the rectum, pregnancy, :i spasm or contraction of the neck of 
the bladder, clotted blood i:i the bladder itself, a swelling of the he- 
morrhoidal veins, &c. 

* A bottle made cf the Indian rubber, and properly applied, ans- 
this purpose best. 



OF THE GRAVEL AND STONE. %21 

Some of these cases require the catheter* both to remove the ob* 

^trading matter, and to draw oiF the urine ; but as this instrument 

can only be managed with safety by persons skilled in surgery, we 

i shall say nothing further of its use. A bougie may be used by any 

cautious hand, and will often succeed better than the catheter. 

We would chiefly recommend, in all obstructions of urine, foment- 
ations and evacuations. Bleeding, as far as the patient's strength will 
permit, is necessary, especially where there are symptoms of topical 
inflammation. Bleeding' in this case not only abates the fever, by 
lessening the force of the circulation, but, by relaxing the solids, it 
takes off the spasm or structure upou the vessels which occasioned the 
obstruction. 

After bleedings, fomentations must be used. These may either con- 
sist of warm water alone, or of decoctious of mild vegetables; as mal- 
lows, camomile-flowers, &c. Cloths dipped in these may either be ap- 
plied to the part affected, or a large bladder filled with the decoction 
may be'kept continually upon it. Some put the herbs themselves into 
a flannel bag, and apply them to the part, which is far from being a 
bad method. These continue longer warm than cloths dipped in the 
decoction, and at the same lime keep the part equally moist. 

In all obstructions of urine, the body ought to be kept open. This 
is not however to be attempted by strong purgatives, but by emollient 
clysters, or gentle infusions of senna and manna. Clysters in this case 
not only open the body, but answer the purpose of an internal fomenta- 
tion, and greatly assist in removing the spasms of the bladder and 
parts adjacent. 

The food must be light, and taken in small quantities. The drink 
may be weak broth, or decoctions and infusions of mucilaginous ve- 
getables, as marsh-mallow roots, lime-tree buds, &c. A tea-spoonful 
of the sweet spirits of nitre, or a drachm of castile soap, may be fre- 
quently put into the patient's drink; and if there be no inflammation, 
he may drink small gin punch. 

Persons subject to a suppression of urine ought to live very temper- 
ate. Their diet should be light, and their liquor diluting. They 
should avoid all acids and austere wines, should take sufficient exer- 
cise, Me hard, and avoid study and sedentary occupations. 

OF THE GRAVEL AND STONE. 

WHEN small stones are lodged in the kidneys, or discharged along 
with the urine, the patient is said to be afflicted with the gravel. If 
one of these stones happens to make a lodgment in the bladder for some 
time, it accumulates fresh matter, at at length becomes too large to pass 
off" with the urine. Iu this case the patient is said to have the stone. 

CAUSES. — The stone and gravel may be occasioned by high liv- 
ing ; the use of strong astringent wines 5 a sedentary life ; lying too 



223 OF THE GRAVEL AND STONE. 

hot, soft, or too much on the back ; the constant use of water impreg- 
nated with earthy or stony particles ; aliments of an astringent or 
windy nature, &c. It may likewise proceed from an hereditary dis- 
position. Persons in the decline of life, and tbore who have been 
much afflicted with the gout or rheumatism, are most liable to it. 

SYMPTOMS. — Small stones or gravel in the kidueys occasion 
pain in the loin: ssckuess ; vomitiDg; and sometimes bloody urine. 
When the stone descends into the ureter, and is too large to pass along 
•with ease, all the above symptoms are increased ; the pain extends 
towards the bladder; the thigh and leg of the affected side are benumb- 
ed ; the testicles are drawn upwards; and the urine is obstructed. 

A strme in uie bladder is known from a pain, at the time, as well as 
before and after making water; from the urine coming away by drops 
Dg suddenly, when it was running in a full stream; by a vi- 
olent pain in the neck of the bladder upon motion, especially on horse- 
back, or in a carriage bn a rough road ; from a white, thick, copiousy 
stinking, mucous sediment in the urine ; from an itching on the top of 
the penis ; from bloody urine ; from an inclination to go to stool during 
the discharge of urine ; from the patient's passing his urine more 
easily when lying than in an erect posture ; from a kind of convulsive 
motion occasioned by the sharp pain in discharging the last drops of 
the urine; and lastly, from sounding or searching with the catheter. 

REGIMEN. — Persons afflicted with the gravel or stone should 
avoid aliments of a wiudy or heating nature, as salt meats, sour fruits, 
<fec. Their diet ought chiefly to consist of such things as tend to pro- 
mote the secretion of urine, and to keep the body open. Artichokes, 
asparagus, spinnage, lettuce, parslfy, succory, purslane, turnips, pota- 
toes, carrots, and radishes, may be safely eaten. Onions, leeks, and 
cellery are, in this case, reckoned medicinal. The most proper drinks, 
are whey, butter-milk, milk and water, barley water ; decoctions or 
infusions of the roots of marsh-mellows, parsley, liquorice, or of other 
mild mucilaginous vegetables, as linseed, lime-tree buds or leaves, &c. 
If the patient has been accustomed to generous liquors, he may drink 
gin and water not too strong. 

Gentle exercise is proper ; but violent motion is apt to occasion 
bloody urine. We would therefore advise that it should be taken in 
moderation. Persons afflicted with gravel often pass a great number 
of stones after riding ou horseback, er in a carriage ; but those who 
have a stone in the bladder are seldom able to bear these kinds of ex- 
ercise. Where there is an hereditary tendency to this disease, a seden- 
tary life ought never to be indulged. Were people careful, upon the 
first symptoms of gravel, to observe a proper regimen of diet, and to 
take sufficient exercise, it might often be carried off, or at least pre^ 
vented from increasing ; but if the same course which occasioned the 
disease is persisted in, it must be aggravated. 



OF THE GRAVEL AND STONE. 22© 

MEDICINE. — Id what is called a fit of the gravel, which is com- 
isiaoaly occasioned by a stone sticking in the ureter or some part of the 
urinary passages, the patient must be bled, warm fomentations should 
likewise be applied to the part affected, emollient clysters administered, 
and diluting mucilaginous liquors drank, &c. The treatment of this 
case has been fully pointed out under the articles, inflammation of the 
Mdneys and bladder, to which we refer. 

Dr. Whyte advises patients who are subject to frequent fits of 
gravel in the kidneys* but have bo stone in the bladder, to drink every 
morning, two or three hours before breakfast, an English pint of oyster 
or cockle-shell lime-water. The doctor very justly observes, that 
though this quantity might be too small to have any sensible effect in 
dissolving a stone in the bladder, yet it may very probably prevent its 
growth. 

When a stone is formed in the bladder, the doctor recommends Ali- 
cant soap, and oyster or cockle-shell lime-water, to be taken in the fol- 
lowing manner : The patient must swallow every day, in any form tha* 
is least disagreeable, an ounce of the internal part of Alicant soap, and 
drink three or four English pints of oyster or cockle-shell lime water. 
The soap is to be divided into three doses ; the largest to be taken 
fasting in the morning early ; the second at noon ; and the third at 
seven in the evening ; drinking above each dose a large draught of 
the lime-water ; the remainder of which he may take any time betwixt 
dinner and supper, instead of other liquors. 

The patient should begin with a smaller quantity of the lime-water 
and soap than that mentioned above ; at first an English pint of the 
former, and three drachms of the latter, may be taken daily. This 
quantity, however, he may increase by degrees, and ought to perse- 
vere in the use of these medicines, espeeiafly if he finds any abate- 
ment of his complaints, for several months ; nay, if the stone be very 
large, for years. It may likewise be proper for the patient, if he be 
severely pained, not only to begin with the soap and lime-water in 
small quantities, but to take the second or third lime-water instead of 
the first. However, after he has been for some time accustomed to 
these medicines, he may not only take the first water, but, if he finds 
lie can easily bear it, heighten its dissolving power still more by pour- 
ing it a second time on fresh calcined shells. 

The caustic alkali, or soap-lees is the medicine chiefly in vogue at 
present for the stone. It is of a Very acrid nature, and ought therefore 
to be given in some gelatinous or mucilaginous liquor ; as veal broth, 
Dew milk, linseed tea, a solution of gum-arabic, or a decoction of 
marsh-maRow roots. The patient must begin with small doses of the 
lees, as thirty or forty drops, and increased by degrees, as far as the 
stomach can bear it. % 

% The caustic alkali may be prepared by mixing two parts of. quick? 



£$& INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGES, &d> 

Though the soap-lees and lime-water are the most powerful meii* 
cines which have hitherto been discovered for the stoae; yet there 
are some things of a more simple nature, which in certain cases are 
found to be beneficial, and therefore deserve a trial. An infusion of 
the seeds of daucus sylvestris or wild carrot, sweetened with honey, 
has been found to give considerable ease in cases where Uie stomach 
could not bear any thin? of an acrid nature. A. decoction of raw 
coffee-berries, taken morning and eveniog, :o the quantify ol eight or 
ten ounces, with ten drops of sweet spirits of nitre, has likewise been 
found very efficacious in bringing away large quantities of earthy 
matter in flake3. Honey is likewise found to be of considerable ser- 
vice, and may be taken in gruel, or in any other form that is more 
agreeable. 

The ooly other medicine which we shall mention is the uva vrsi. 
It has been greatly extolled of late both for the gravel and stone. It 
seems however to be in all respects inferior to the soap and limc-wa- 
» er ; but it is less disagreeable, and has frequently to my knowledge, 
relieved gravelly complaints. It is generally taken in powder from 
half a drachm to a whole drachm, two or three tunes a day. It may 
however be taken to the quantity of &even or eight drachms a-day, 
vith great safety and good effect. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



OF INFOLVNTARY DISCHARGES OF BLOOD. 

SPONTANEOUS or involuntary discharges of blood often hap 
pen from various parts of the body. These, however, are so far 
from being always dangerous, that ?hey often prove salutary. When 
Euch discharges are critical, which is frequently the ca?e in fevers, 
they ought not to be stopped. Nor indeed is it proper at any time t© 
stop them, unless they be so great as to endanger the patient's life. 
Most people, afraid of the smallest discharge of blood from any part of 
the body, fly immediately to the use of styptic and astringent medi- 
cines, by which means an inflammation of the brain, or some other fa- 
tal disease, is occasioned, which, had the discharge been allowed to 
go on, might have been prevented. 

lime with one of pot-ashes, and suffering them to stand till the lixivium 
be formed, which must be carefully filtrated before it be used. If the 
solution does not happen readily, a small quantity of water may b» 
sdded to the mixture. 



mVOLVNTARY DISCHARGES, &c. m 

Periodical discharges of blood, from whatever part of the body they 
proceed, must not be stopped. They are always the efforts of Nature 
to relieve herself; and fatal diseases have often been ihe consequence 
of obstructing them. It may indeed be sometimes necessary to check 
the violence of such discharges ; buf even this requires the greatest; 
caution. Instances might be given where the stopping of a small peri- 
odical flux of blood, from one of the fingers, has proved fatal Jo th© 
health. 

In the early period of life, bleeding at the nose is very common. 
Those who are farther advanced in years are more liable to hemop- 
toe, or discharge of blood from the lungs After the middle period 
of life, hemorrhoidal fluxes are most common: and in the 'decline of, 
life, discharges of blood from the urinary passages. 

luvoluutary fluxes of blood may proceed from very different and 
quite opposite causes Sometimes they are owing to a particular con- 
stitution of the body, as a sanguine temperament, a laxity of the ves- 
sels, a plethoric habit, &c, At other times they proceed from a de- 
termination of the blood towards one particular part, as the head, the 
hemorrhoidal veins, &zc. They may likewise proceed from an in- 
flammatory disposition of the blood, in which case there is generally 
some degree of fever : this likewise happens when the flux is occa- 
sioned by an obstructed perspiration, or a stricture upon the skin, the 
bowels, or any particular part of the system. 

But a dissolved state of the blood will likewise occasion haemorrha- 
ges. Thus, in putrid fevers, the dysentar,y, the scurvy, the malig- 
nant small pox, &c. there are often very great discharges of blood from 
different parts of the body. They may likewise be brought on by too 
liberal an use of mediciue, which tends to dissolve the blood, as can- 
tharides, the volatile alkaline salts, &c. Food of an acrid or irritating 
quality may likewise occasion hernorihages ; as also strong purges and 
vomits, or any thing that greatly stimulates the bowels. 

Violent passions or agitations of the mind will likewise have this ef- 
fect. These often cause bleeding at the nose, and I have known thera 
sometimes occasion an hemorrhage in the brain. Vioient efforts of 
the body, by overstraining or heating the vessels, may have (he same 
effect, especially when the body is long kept ha an unnatural posture, 
as hanging the head very low, &c. 

The cure of an hemorrhage must be adapted to its cause. Whea 
it proceeds from too much blood, or a tendency to inflammation, bleed- 
ing, with gentle purges and other evacuations, will be necessary. It 
will likewise be proper for the patient in this case to live chiefly upoa 
a vegetable diet, to avoid all strong liquors, and food that is of an acrid, 
hot, or stimulating quality. The body should be kept coo!, and the 
mind easy. 

When an hosmorrhage is' owing to a putrid or dissolved state of the 
biood; the patient ought to live shiefly upon acrid fruits with milk an«i 



2S3 OF BLEEDING AT THF. NOSE. 

vegetables of a nourishing nature, as sago, salop, &c. His drink may' 
be wine diluted with water, and sharpened with the juice of lemon, 
vinegar, or spirits of vitriol. The best medicine iu this case is the 
Peruvian bark, which may be taken according to the urgency of the 
symptoms. 

When a flux of blood is the effect of acrid food, or of strong stimu- 
lating medicines, the cure is to be effected by soft mucilaginous diet. 
The patient may likewise take frequently about the bulk of a nut- 
meg of Locatelli's balsam, or the same quantity of spermaceti. 

When au obstructed perspiration, or a stricture upon any part of 
the system, is the cause of an haemorrhage, it may be removed by 
driukins: warm diluting liquors, lying a-bed, bathing the extremities 
in warm water, &c. 

OF BLEEDING AT THE NOSE. 

BLEEDING at the nose is commonly preceded by some degree oi 
quickness of the pulse, flushing in the face, pulsation of the temporal 
arteries, heaviness in the head, dimness of the sight, heat and itching 
of the nostrils, &c. 

To persons who abound with blood this discharge is very salutary. 
It often cures a vertigo, the head ache, a phreuzy, and even an epi- 
lepsy. In fevers, where there is a great determination of blood to- 
wards the head, it is of the utmost service. It is likewise beneficial in 
inflammations of the liver and spleen, and often in the gout and rheuma- 
tism. In all diseases where bleeding is necessary, a spontaneous dis- 
charge of blood from the nose is of much more service than the same 
quantity let with the lancet. 

In a discharge of blood from the nose, the great point is to deter- 
mine whether it ought to be stopped or not. It is a common practice 
to stop the bleeding, without considering whether it be a disease, or 
the cure of a disease. This conduct proceeds from fear ; but it has 
often bad, and sometimes fatal consequences. 

When a discharge of blood from the nose happens in an inflammatory 
disease, there is always reason to believe that it may prove salutary ; 
and therefore it should be suffered to go on, at least as long as the patient 
is not weakened by it. 

When it happens to persons in perfect health, who are full of blood, 
it ought not to be suddenly stopped, especially if the symptoms of ple- 
thora, mentioned above, have preceded it. In this case it cannot be 
stopped without risking the patient's life. 

In fine, whenever bleeding at the nose relieves any bad symptom, 
and does not proceed so far as to endanger the patient's life, it ought 
not to be stopped. But when it returns frequently, or continues till 
the pulse becomes low, the extremities begin to grow cold, the lips pair:. 



0.F BLEEDING AT THE NOSE. 233 

at the patient complains of being sick or faint, it must immediately be 
plopped. 

For this purpose the patient should be set nearly upright, with Iris 
head reclining a little, and his legs immersed ia water about (he warmth 
of new milk. His hands ought likewise to be put in lukewarm wa- 
ter, and his garters may be tied a little tighter than usual. Ligatures 
may be applied 'to the arms, about the place where they are usually 
made for bleeding, and with nearly the same degree of tightness. 
These must be gradually slackened as the blood begins to stop, and 
remoter! entirely as soon as it gives over. 

Sometimes dry lint put up the nostrils will stop the bleeding. When 
this does not succeed, dossils oi lint dipped in strong spirits of wine, 
may be put up the nostrils, or if that cannot be had, they may be 
dipped in brandy. Blue vitriol dissolved in water may likewise be 
used for this purpose, or a tent dipped in the Avhite of an egg well 
beat up, may be rolled in a powder made of equal part? of white 
sugar, burnt alum, and white vitriol, and put up the nostril from 
whence the blood issues. 

Internal medicines can hardly be of use here, as they havr 
time to operate. It may not however be amiss to give the patient half 
an ounce of Glauber's salt, and the same quantity of manna, dissolved 
in four or five ounces of barley-water. This may be taken at a 
draught, and repeated, if it does not operate, in a few hours. Teu 
or twelve grains of nitre, ma y be taken in a glass of cold water and 
vinegar every hour, or oftener, if the stomach will bear it. If a 
stronger medicine be necessary, a tea-cupful of the tincture of roses, 
•with twenty or thirty drops of the weak spirit of vitriol, may be taken 
every hour. When these things cannot be had, the patient may drink 
water, with a little common salt in it, or equal parts of water and 
vinegar.* 

If the genitals be immersed for some time in cold water, it will gen- 
erally stop a bleeding at the nose. I have not known this fail. 

Sometimes when the bleeding is stopped outwardly, it continues in- 
wardly. This is very troublesome, and requires particular attention, 
as the patient is apt to be suffocated with the blood, especially if he 
falls asleep, which he is very ready to do after losing a great quantity 
of blood. 

When the patient is in danger of suffocation from the blood getting 
into his throat, the passages may be stopped by drawing threads up 
the nostrils, and bringing them out at the mouth, then fastening pieces 
of sponge, or small rolls of linen cloth to the extremities ; afterwards 

* From ten to twenty drops of the oil of turpentine in a little water 
given frequently, seldom fails to stop a bleeding at the nose, or from 
any other part. 

30 



234 OF THE BLEEDING AND BLIND Til 

drawing them back, and tying thcin on the outside with a siifficie&t 
degree of tightm ss. 

After the bleeding is stopped, the patieut ought to be kept as easy 
an.l quiet as possible. He should not pick his nose, nor take away the 
tents or clotted hiood, till they fall off of their own accord, aud should 
not lie wi'h his head low. 

Those who are affected with frequent bleeding at the nose ought to 
bathe their feet often in warm water, and to keep them warm and dry. 
They ought to wear nothing tight about their necks, to keep their body 
as much in an erect posture as possible, and never to view any object 
obliquely. If they have too much blood, a vegetable diet, with uow and 
then a cooling purge, is the safest way to lessen it. 

But when the disease proceeds from a thin dissolved state of the 
blood, the diet should be rich and nourishing; as strong broths aud 
jejiics, sago-gruel, with wine and sugar, &c. Infusions of the Peru- 
vian bark in wine QMght likewise to be taken and persisted in for a con- 
qiderable time. 

OF THE BLEEDING AND BLIND PILES. 

A DISCHARGE of blood from the ha! morrhoidal vessels is called 
the ifletdmg piles. When the ve sets only swell, and discharge o<* 
blood, but are exceeding painfal, the disease is called the blind piles. 

Persons of a loose spungy fibre, of a bulky size, who live high, and 
lead a sedentary, inactive life, are r.v ist subject to this disease. It is 
often owing to an hereditary disposition. Where lh'13 is the case, it 
attacks persons more early in life than when it is accidental. Men are 
more liable to it than women, especially those of a sanguine plethoric, 
or scorbutic habit, or of a melancholy disposition. 

The piles may be occasioned by au excess of blood, by strong aloetic 
purges, high-seasoned food, drinking great quantities of sweet wines, 
viie neglect of bleeding, or other customary evacuations, much riding, 
great costivepess, or any thing that occasions hard or difficult stools. 
Anger, grief, or other violent pafsions, will likewise occasion the 
piles. 1 have often known them brought on by sitting on the damp 
ground. A pair of thin breeches will excite the disorder in a person 
who is subject to it, and sometimes even in those who never had it be- 
fore. Pregnant women are oi'eu atiiicted with the piles 

A flux of blood from the anus, is' not al\va}s to be treated as a dis- 
eise. It is even more salutary than bleeding at die nose, aud often 
prevents or carries off die-eases. It is peculiarly beneficial in the 
gout, rheumatism, asthma, and hypochondrical complaints, and often 
proves critical in colics, ami inflammatory fevers. 

In the management of the patient, vegaul must be had to Ids habit 
of body, his age, strength, an.l manner of living. A discharge which 
udglit be pxcessive and prove hurtful to one, may be very moderate^ 



Of The bleeding and blind files. 23s 

hid even salutary to another. That only is to be esteemed dangerous^ 
which continues too long, and is in such a quantity as to waste the pa- 
tient's strength, hurt the,digestion, nutrition, and other functions neces- 
sary to life. 

When this is the case, the discharge must be checked by a proper 
regimen, and astringent medicines. The DIET must be cool but 
nourishing, consisting chiefly of bread, milk, cooling vegetables, and 
broths. The drink may be chalybeate- water, orange whey, decoc- 
tions or infusions of the astringent and mucilaginous plants, as the tor- 
'mentil root, bistort, the marsh-mallow-roots, &c. 

Old conserve of roses is a very good medicine in this case. It may 
be mixed in new milk, and may be taken in the quantity of an ounce 
three or four times a-day. This medicine is in no great repute, owing 
to its being seldom taken in such quantity as to produce any effects ; 
but when taken as here directed, and duly persisted in, I have known 
it perform'very extraordinary cures in violeut haemorrhages, especial- 
ly when assisted by the tincture of roses ; a tea spoontui of which may 
be taken about an hour after every dose of the conserve. 

The Peruvian bark is likewise proper in this case, both as a strength- 
ener and astringent. Half a drachm of it may be taken in a glass of 
red wine, sharpened with a few drops of the elixir of vitriol, three or 
four times a-day. 

The bleeding piles are sometimes periodical, and return regularly 
once a month, or once in three weeks. In this case they are always 
to be considered as a salutary discharge, and by no means to be stop- 
ped. Some have entirely ruined their health by stopping a period- 
ical discharge of blood from the hs&morrhoidal veins. 

In the Mind piles bleeding is generally of use. The diet must be 
light and thin, and the drink cool and diluting. It is likewise neces- 
sary that the body be kept gently open. This may be done bv small 
doses of the flour of brimstone and cream of tartar. These may be 
mixed in equal quantities, and a tea-spoonful taken two or three times 
a-day, or oftener if necessary. Or an ounce of the Hour of brimstone, 
and half an ounce of purified nitre ta\y be mixed with three or four 
ounces of the lenitive. electuary, and a tea-spoonful of it taken three 
or four times a day. 

Emollient clysters are here likewise beneficial ; but there is some- 
times such an astriction of the anus, that they cannot be thrown up. 
In this case I have known a vomit have a very good effect. 

When the piles are exceeding painful and swelled, but discharge 
nothing, the patient must sit over the steams of warm water. He may 
likewise apply a linen cloth dipped in warm spirits of wine to the 
part, or poultices made of bread and milk, or of leeks fried with 
butter. If these do # not produce a discharge, and the piles appear 
large, leeches must be applied as near them as possible, or, if they wilt 
Sat apoja the piles themselves, s® much the better. When leeches will 



236 SPITTING OF BLOOD. 

not fix, the piles may be opened with a lancet. The operation is 
very easy, and is attended with no danger. "\Jarious ointments, and 
Eternal applications, are recommended in the piles; but I do 
ive seen any effects From these, worth mentioning, 
principle use is to ki;ep the part moist, which may be done as 
well by a soft poultice, or an emollient cataplasm. Y\ hen the pain 
, . is very great, a liniment made of two ounces of emollient oint- 
ment, and hall an " nnce of tiquid laudanum, beafrup with die yolk of 
an egg, niay he applied. 

Si'ITTING OF BLOOD. 

WE mean here to 1rcat of that discharge of blood from the lurigl 
; an hanwptoe or spitting of blood. Persons of a 
. lax fibre, who have long uecks and strait breasts 
ase. It is most common in, the spring, and 
ge'.ieraUj atracl before they are at the prime or middle pe- 

lt ib a common observation, that those who have been 
. at the nose when young, are afterwards most liable 
to 

SES. — A.u h^emoptoe may proceed from excess of blood from 
a peculiar weakness of the lungs, or a bad conformation of the breast. 
It is often occasioned by excessive drinking, running, wrestling, sing- 
ing, or speaking aloud. Such as have weak lungs ought to avoid 
all violen! exertions of that organ, as they value life. They should 
likewise; guard agaiust violent passions* excessive drinking and every 
tiling Chat occasions a rapid circulation of the blood. 

dfs a.o may likewise proceed from wounds of the lungs. 
These may either be received from without, or they may be occasion- 
, ..id bodies getting into the wind-pipe, an.! to falling down upon 
s, and Kurting that tender organ. The obstruction of any cus- 
evacuation may occasion a spitting of blood; as neglect of 
at the usual seasous, the stoppage of the bleeding 
menses in women, &c. It may likewise proceed 
from a polypus, scirrhous concretions, or any thing that obstructs the 
the blood in the lungs It is often the effect of a long 
and violent cough , iu whicli e rally the forerunner of a 

>tion. A violent degree of cold suddenly applied to the exter- 
na! pails of the bod} will occasion an haemoptoe. It may likewise 
br occasioned b) I i which i? too much rarefied to be able 

. to expand the lungs. This is often the case with those who 
w »• k in hot places, as furnaces, glass-houses, or the like. It is like- 
a lb such as ascend to the tcp cf very high mouu- 
> the Peak of Teneriffe, <tc. 

. ig of blood is not alwavs to be considered as a primary dis- 
'-Vr.e. It is often only a symptom, and in seme diseases not an unfa- 



SPITTING OF BLOOD. 23* 

yourable one. This is the case in pleurisies, peripneumonies, and sun'. 
dry other fevers. In a dropsy, scurvy, or consumption, it is a bad 
'symptom, and shows that the lungs are ulcerated. 

SY.MP rOMS — Spitting of blood is generally preceded by a sense 
of weight, and oppression of the breast, a dry tiddiug cough; hoarse- 
ness, and a difficulty of breathing. Sometimes it is ushered in with 
"shivering, coldness of the extremities, cqstiveness, great lassitude, flat^ 
ulence, pain of the back and loins, &c. As these show a general strict- 
ure upon the vessels, and a tendency of the blood to inflammation, 
they are commonly die forerunners of a very copious discharge. The 
above symptoms do not attend a discharge of blood from the gums or 
fauces, by which means these may always be distinguished from an 
hoemoptoe. Sometimes the blood that is spit up is thin, and of a florid 
Ted colour ; and at other times it is thick, and of a dark or blackish, 
colour; .nothing however can be inferred from. this circumstance, but' 
that the blood has lain a longer or a shorter time in the breast befog 
it was discharged. 

Spitting of blood, in a strong healthy person, of a sound constitution* 
is hot very dangerous, but when it attacks the tender and delicate, or 
persons of a weak lax fibre, it is with difficulty removed. When it 
proceeds from a scirrhous or polypus of the lungs, it is bad. The 
danger is greater when the discharge proceeds from the rupture of a 
large vessel than a small one. When the extravasated blood is not 
spit up, but lodges in the breast, it corrupts, and greatly increases the 
danger. When the blood proceeds from an ulcer in the lungs it is 
generally fatal. 

REGIMEN.— The patient ought, to be kept cool and easy. Every 
thiug that heats the body or quickens the "circulation, increases the 
danger. The mind ought likewise to be soothed, and every occasion of 
exciting the passions avoided. The diet should be soft, cooling, and 
slender , as rice boiled with milk, small broths, barley- gruels, panado, 
k&c The diet, in this case, can scarce be too low. Even water-gruel 
is sufficient to support the patieut for gome days. All strong liquors 
must be avoided. The patient may drink milk and water, barley- 
water, whey, butter-milk, and such like. Every thing however should 
be drank cold, and in small quantities at a time. He should observe 
the strictest silence, or at least speak with a very low voice. 

MEDICINE.— This, like other involuntary discharges of the 
blood, ought not to be suddenly stopped by astringent medicines. 
More mischief is often done by these than if it were suffered to go on. 
It may however proceed so far as to weaken the patient, and even 
endanger his life ; in which case proper means must be used for re- 
straining it. 

The body should be kept gently open by laxative diet; as roasted 
apples, stewed prunes, and such like. If these should not have the 
tfesircd effect, a tea-spoonful of the lenitive electuary may be takes 



&* VOMITING OF SWOB. 

twice or thrice a-day, as is found necessary. If the bleeding prove! 
violent, ligatures may be applied to the extremities, as directed for 
a bleeding at the nose. If the patient be hot or feverish, bleeding 
and small doses of nitre will be of use ; a scruple or half a drachm of 
nitre may be taken in a cup of his ordinary chink twice or thrice a-day. 
IT- drink may likewise be sharpened with acids, as juice of lemon, or 
ops <if the spirits of vitriol ; or he may take frequently a cup 
of Ji_ tincture of rose* 

Bathing n i' and legs in lukewarm water has likeivise a very 

f. ct in this diseise. Opiates too are sometimes beneficial ; 

bui thVse must ne administered with caution Ten or twelve drops 

of lau<ia:t'im ma} be given iu a cup of barley- water twice a day, and 

continue- 1 foi some t ; me, provided ihey be found beneficial. 

The cons; rve of roses is likewise a very good medicine in litis case* 
provided It be taken in sufficient quantity, and long enough persisted 
in. It may be taken to the quautity of three or four ounces a-day | 
md, if ti;(. patient be troubled with a cough, it should be made into 
au electuary with balsamic syrup, and a little of the syrup of peppies. 

If stronger astringents be necessary, fifteen or twenty drops of the 
elixir of vitriol may be given iu a glass of water three or four times 
a-day. 

Those who are subject to frequent returns of this disease should 
avoid all excess. Their diet should be light and cool, consisting 
■chiefly of milk and vegetables. Above all, let them beware of vigo- 
rous efforts of the body, and violent agitations of the mind. 

VOMITINO OF BLOOD. 

THIS is not to common as the other discharges of blood which 
have already been mentioned ; but it is very dangerous, and requires 
particular attention. 

Vomiting ot blood is generally preceded by paiu of the stomach, 
sickness, and nausea ; and is accompanied with great anxiety, and fre- 
quent fainting-fits. 

This disease is sometimes periodical; in which case it is less dan- 
gerous. It often proceeds from an obstruction of the menses in wo- 
men ; and sometimes from the stoppage of the hemorrhoidal flux in 
men. It may be occasioned by any thing that greatly stimulates or 
wounds the stomach, as strong vomits or purges, acrid poison, sharp 
er hard substances taken into the stomach, &c. It is often the effect 
of obstruction iu the liver, the spleen, or some of the other viscera. 

It may likewise proceed from external violence, as blows, bruises, 
or from any of the causes which produce inflammation. Iu hysteric 
women, vomitting of blood is a very common, but by no means a dan- 
gerous symptom. 

A, great part of the daoger in this disease arises from th« extrarasa* 



OF BLOODY URINS. 239! 

ted blood lodging in the bowels, and becoming putrid, by which means 
a dysentery or putrid fewer may be occasioned. The best way oi 
preventing this, is to keep the body gently opeu, by frequently exhibit- 
Jug emollient clysters. Purges must not be given till the discharge 
is stopt, otherwise they will irritate the stomach, and increase the dis- 
order. Ail the food and drink must be of a mild cooling nature, and 
taken in small quantities. Even drinking cold water has sometimes 
proved a remedy, but it will succeed the better when sharpened with 
the weak spirits of vitriol. When there are signs of an inflammation, 
bleeding may be necessary ; but the patient's weakness will seldom 
permit it. Opiates may be of use ; but they must be given in very 
small doses, as four or five drops of liquid laudanum twice or thrice 
a- day. 

After the discharge is over, as the patient is generally troubled 
with gripes occasioned by the acrimony of the blood lodged in the 
Intestine^ gentle purges will be necessary. 

OF BLOODY URINE. 

THFS is a discharge of blood from the vessels of the kidneys or, 
bladder, occasioned by their being either enlarged, broken or ero- 
ded. It is more or less dangerous according to the different circum- 
stances which attend it. 

When pure blood is voided suddenly without interruption and with- 
out pain, it proceeds from the kidneys ; but if the blood be in small 
quantity, of a dark colour, and emitted %vith heat and pain about the 
bottom of the belly, it pioceeds from the bladder. When* bloody 
urine is occasioned by a rough stone descending from the kidneys to 
the bladder, 'which wounds the urekru, it is attended with a sharp 
pain io the back, and difficulty of making water. If the coats of the 
bladder are hurt by a stone and the bloody urine follows, it is attend- 
ed with the most acute pain, and a previous stoppage of urine. 

Bloody urine may likewise be occasioned by falls, blows, the lift. 
ing or carrying of heavy burdens, hard riding, or any violent motion. 
It may also proceed from ulcers of the bladder, from -a stone lodged 
in the kidneys, or from violent purges or sharp diuretic medicines, 
especially cantharides. 

Bloody urine is always attended with some degree of danger ; but 
it is peculiarly so when mixed with purulent matter, as this shews an 
ulcer somewhere in the urinary passages Sometimes this discharge 
proceeds from excess of blood, in which case it is rather to be consid- 
ered as a salutary evacuation than a disease. If the discharge howev- 
er be very great, it may waste the patient's strength, and occasion / 
an ill habit of body, a dropsy or a consumption. 

The treatment of this disorder must b$ varied according to the dif- 
ferent causa 1 :- from which it proceeds. 



Sf4Q OF THE DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLU%. 

When it is owing to a stone in the bladder, the cure depends upon 
an operation, a description of which would be foreign to our pur- 
pose. 

If it be attended with a plethora, and symptoms of inflammation, 
bleeding; will be ueces-ary. The body must likewise be kept open by 
emollient clysters, or cooling purgative medicines ; as cream of tar- 
tar, rhubarb, manna; or small doses of lenitive electuary. 

When bloody urine proceeds from a dissolved state of the blood, it 
is commonly the symptom of some malignant disease ; as the small- 
pox, a putrid fever or the like. In this case the patieut's life depends 
on the liberal use of the Peruvian bark and acids, as has already 
beeu shewn. 

When there is reason to su-pect an ulcer in the kidneys or bladder, 
the patient's diet must be cool, and his drink of a soft healing balsa- 
mic quality, as decoctions of marsh-mallow roots with liquorice, so- 
lutions of gum-arabic, <fcc. Three ounces of marsh-mallow roots, and 
half an ounce of liquorice, may be boiled in two English quarts of 
water to one ; two ounces of gum-arabic, and half an ounce of puri- 
fied nitre may b* dissolved in the strained liquor, and a tea cupful of 
it taken four or five times a day. 

The eaily use of astringents in this disease has often bad conse- 
quences When the flux is stopped too soon, the grumous blood, by 
being confined in the ves-ek. w?-y produce inflammations, abscess, and 
ulcers. If however the c;»se be urgent, or (he patient seems to suf- 
fer from the loss of blood, gentle astringents may be necessary. In 
this case the patient may take three or four ounces of lime-water, with 
half an ounce of the tincture of Peruvian bark, three times a-day. 

OF THE DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. 

THIS disease prevails in the spring and autumn. It is most com- 
mon in marshy countries, where afier hot and dry summers, it is apt 
to become epidemic. Persons are most liable to it who are much ex- 
posed to the night air, or who live in places where the air is confined 
and unwholesome. Hence it of f .en proves fatal in camps, on shipboard, 
in jails, hospitals, aud such like places. 

CAUSES — The dysentery may be occasioned by any tiling that 
obstructs the perspiration, or readers the humours putrid ; as damp 
beds, wet clothes, unwholesome diet, bnd air, &c. But it is most fre- 
quently communicated by infection. This ought to make people ex. 
tremely cautious in goiic near such persons as labour under the dis- 
ease. Even the smell of the patient's excrements has been known to 
communicate l h c. infection. 

SYMPTOMS.— It is known by a flux of the belly, attended by 
violent pains of the bowels, a constant inclination to go to stool, and 
generally more or less blood in the stools. It begins like other feverr, 



OF THE DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. 241 

with dullness, loss of strength, a quick pulse, great thirst, aud aa 
inclination to vomit. The stools are at first greasy and frothy, after- 
wards they are streaked with blood, and at last have frequently the 
appeacaiice of pure blood, mixed with small filaments resembling bits 
of skin. Worms are sometimes passed both upwards and downwards 
through the whole course of the disease. When the patient goes to 
stool, he feels a bearing down, as if the whole bowels were falling 
out, and sometimes a part of the intestine is actually protruded, which 
proves exceeding troublesome, especially in children. Flatulency is 
likewise a troublesome symptom, especially towards the end of the 
disease. 

This disease may be distinguished from a diarrhoea or looseness,by the 
acute pain of the bowels, and the blood which generally appears ia 
the stools. It may be distinguished from the cholera morbus by its 
not being attended with such violent and frequent fits of vomiting, &c. 

When the dysentery attacks the old, the delicate, or such as have 
been waisted by the gout, the scurvy, or other lingering diseases, it 
generally proves fatal. Vomiting and hickuping are bad signs, as 
they shew an inflammation of the stomach. When the stools are 
green, black, or have an exceeding disagreeable cadaverous smell, 
the danger is very great, as it shews the disease to be of the putrid 
kind. It is an unfavourable symptom when the clysters are immedi- 
ately returned ; but still more so when the passage is so obstinately 
shut, that they cannot be injected, a feeble pulse, coldness of the ex= 
tremities, with difficulty of swallowing, and convulsions, are signs of 
approaching death. 

REGIMEN. — Nothing is of more importance in this disease, than 
cleanliness. It contributes greatly to the recovery of the patient, aud 
no less to the safety of such as attend him. In all contagious diseases 
the danger is increased, and the infection spread by the neglect of 
cleanliness ; but in no one more than this. Every thing about the pa- 
tieut should be frequently changed. The excrements should never be 
suffered to continue in his chamber, but removed immediately and 
buried under ground. A constant stream of fresh air should be ad- 
mitted into the chamber ; and it ought frequently to be sprinkled with 
vinegar, juice of lemon, or some other strong acid. 

The patient must not be discouraged, but his spirits kept up in hopes 
of a cure. Nothing tends more to render any putrid disease mortal, 
than the fears and apprehensions of the sick. All diseases of this nature 
have a tendency to sink and depress the spirits, and when that is in- 
creased by fears and alarms from thosie whom the patient believes to 
be persons of skill it cannot fail to have the worst effects. 

A flannel waistcoat worn next the skin has often a very good ef- 
fect ia the dysentery. This promotes the perspiration without over 
heating the body. Great caution however is necessary in leaving it 
off. I have often known a dysentery brought oa by imprudently 
31 



2i2 OF THE BYSENTEiiri CR BLOODY FUJI. 

throwing o(F a flannel waistcoat before the season was sufficieBltjf 
fraini. For whatever purpose this piece of. dress is worn, it should 
never be left oil but in a warm sesseui 

lii this disease the greatest attention must be paid to the patient's 
diet. I'iesii, fish, and every thing that has a tendency to turn putrid 
or rancid on the stomach, must be abstained from. Apples boiled in 
riiilk, water pap; and plain light pudding, with broth made of the ge- 
latinous parts of animals, may constitute the principal part of the pa- 
tient's food. Gelatinous broth not only answers the purpose of food, 
but li!v< wise of medicine. I have oiteu kuowu dysenteries, which 
were nat of a putrid nature, cuied by it, after pompous medicines had 
proved ineffectual.* 

Another kind of food very proper in the dysentery whicli may be 
used by such as cannot take the broth mentioned above, is marie by 
boiling a few handsful of fine Hour, tied in a cloth, for six or seven 
hours, till it becomes as hard as starch Two ov three table-spoonfe- 
ed of this nui) be grated down, and boiled in such a quantity of new 
milk and water, as to be of the thickness of pnp. This may be sweet- 
cried to the parent's taste, and taken for his ordinary food.f 

* The manner of making this broth is, to take a sheep's head and 
feet with the skin upon them, and to buru the wool off with a hot iron ; 
afterwards to boil them till the broth is quite a jelly. A little cinna- 
mon or m;ice may be added, to.give the broth an agreeable flavour, 
and the patieut may take a little of it warm with toasted bread three 
or four times a-day. A clyster of it may likewise be given twice a- 
day. Such as cannot use the broth made in this way, may have the 
head and feet skinned ; but we have reason to believe that this injures 
die medicine. It is not our business here to reason upon the nature' and 
qualities of medicine, otherwise this might be shewn to possess virtues 
< very way suited to the cure of a dysentery which does not proceed 
from a putrid itate of the humours. One thing we know which is 
preferable to atll reasoning, that ulio!e families have often been cured 
by it, after they had used many other medicines in vaio. It will, 
however, be proper that the patient take a vomit, and a dose or two 
of rhubarb, before he begins to use the broth. It will likewise be ne- 
cessary to continue the use of it for a considerable time, and to make 
-t the principal food. 

f liie learned and humane Dr. Rutherford, late professor of medi- 
cine in the University of Edinburgh, used to mention this food in Ids 
public lectures with great encomiums. Ke. directed it to be made by 
ryiug a pound or two of t!:e fimsl flour, as light as possible, in a linen 
i..« r . afterwards to dip- it frequently in water, and to diedge the out- 
site with flour, till a cake or crust was formed around it, which pre- 
vents the water from soaking into it while belling. It is then to be 
b tl i till it becomes a hard dry mats, as directed above. This, 



m THE DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. 243 

In a putrid dysentery, the patient may be allowed to eat freely of 
most kinds of good ripe fruit ; as apples, grapes, gooseberries, currant* 
berries, straw-berries. These may either be eaten raw or boiled^ 
with or without milk, as the patient chooses. The prejudice agains,- 
fruit in this disease is so great that man) believe it to be the common 
cause of dysenteries. Tins however is an egregious mistake. Both 
reason and experience show, that good fruit is one of tiie best medt* 
cines, both tor the prevention and cure of the dysentery. Good fruit 
is in every respect calculated to counteract that tendency to putre- 
faction, from whence the most dangerous kind of dysentery proceeds. 
The patient in such a case ought therefore to be allowed to eat as 
much fruit as he pleases, provided it be ripe.|; 

The most proper drink in this disorder is whey. The dysentery 
lias often been cured by the use of clear whey alone. It may be taken 
both for drink and in form of a clyster. When whey cannot be had, 
barley-water sharpened with cream of tartar may be drank, or a de? 
coction of barley and tamarinds ; two ounces of the former and one of 
\he latter may be boiled in two English quarts of water to one. 
Warm water, water-gruel, or Water wherein hot iron has been fre- 
quently quenched, are ail very proper, and may be drank in turns. 
Camomile tea, if the stomach will bear it, is an exceeding proper 
drink. It both strengthens the stomach, and by its antiseptic quality, 
tends to prevent a mortification of the bowels. 

MEDICINE.— -At the beginning of this disease it is always ne- 
cessary to cleanse the first passages. For this purpose a vomit of 
ipecacuanha must be given, aud wrought oft' wiih weak camomile- 
tea. Strong vomits are seldoni necessary here. . A scruple, or at most 
half a dtachm of ipecacuanha, is generally sufficient for an adult, and 

when mixed with milk and water, will not only answer the purpose of 
food, but may likewise be given in clysters. 

| I lately saw a young man who had been seized with a dysentery in 
North America. Many things had been tried there far his relief 
but to no purpose. At length tired out with disappointments from med* 
Sciae, and reduced to skin and bone, he came over to Britain, rather 
with a view to die among his relatisns, than With any hopes of a cure. 
After taking sundry medicines here with no better success than abroad, 
I advised him to leave off the use of drugs, and to trust entirely to a 
diet of milk and fruits, with gentle exercise. Strawberries were 
the only fruit he could procure at that season. These he ate with 
milk twice and sometimes thrice a-day. The consequence was, that 
in a short time his stools were reduced from upwards of twenty io 
a day, to three or four, and sometimes not so many. He used the 
Other fruits as they came in, aud was in a few weeks so Arell as to 
leave that part of the country where I was with a view to return t'S 
'America. 



244 OF THE DfSENTERT, OR BLOODY FLUX. 

sometimes a very few grains will suffice. The day after the vomiij 
ha!i" a drachm, or two scruples of rhuharb, must be taken ; ov what; 
■will answer the purpose rather better, an ounce or an ounce aod ari 
half of Epsom sait. This dose may be repeated every other day 
for two or "hree times. Afterwards small doses of ipecacuanha may 
be iake.s for some time. Two or three grains of the powder may 
be miked in a table spoonful of the syrup of poppies, and taken three 
times a day. 

These evacuations, and the regimen prescribed above, will often 
be sufficient ito . * a cure Should it however happen otherwise, 
the, following asti'iage it medicines maj be used : 

A qlystei of starch or fat mutton brodi, with thirty or forty drops 
of ljqu.ii in it ma) be administered twice a-day. At the 

same time ai. i;e of gum-arabic, and half an ounce of gum traga- 
canth may b dissolved in an English pint of barley-water, over a 
slow fire, nVi a table-spoonful of it taken every hour. 

If these have not iite desired effect, the patient may take, four 
time? a-day, about the bulk of a nutmeg of the Japonic Confection, 
drinking a. < ; it a tea-spoonful of the decoction of logwood. 

Persons who have been cured of tins disease are very liable to suf- 
fer a relapse; to prevent which great circumspection with respect to 
diet is necessary. The patient must abstain from all fermented li- 
quors, except now and then a glass of good wine ; but he must drink 
no kind of malt liquor. He should likewise abetain from animal food, 
as fish and flesh, and live principally on milk and vegetables. 

Gentle exercise and wholesome air are likewise of importance. The 
patient should go to the country as soon as his strength will permit, and 
should take exercise daily on horseback, or in a carriage. He may 
likewise ut.e bitters infused in wine or brandy, and may drink twice 
a-day a gill of lime-water mixed with np equal quantity of new milk. 

When dysenteries prevail, we would recommend a strict attention 
to cleanliness, a spare use of animal food, and the free use of sound 
ripe fruits, and other vegetables. The night air is to be carefully 
avoided, and all communication with the sick. Bad smells are like- 
wise to be shunned, especially those which arise from putrid animal 
substance?. The necessaries where the sick go are carefully to be 
avoided. 

When the first symptoms of the dysentery appear, the patient 
ought immediately to take a vomit, to go to bed, and drink plentifully 
of weak warm liquor, to promote a sweat. This with a dosp or two 
of rhubarb at the beginning, would often carry off the disease. In 
countries where dysenteries prevail, we would advise such as are 
liable to them, to take either a vomit or a purge every spring or au- 
tumn, as a preventative. 

There are sundry other fluxes of the belly, as the menteuy and 
battle passion, which though less dangerous than the dysentery, 



VF THE HEAD-ACHE. 2AS 

*et merit consideration. These diseases generally proceed from a re- 
laxed state of the stomach and intestioes, which is sometimes so great, 
that the food passes through them with hardly any sensible alteration ; 
and the patient dies merely from the want of nourishment. 

When the lientery or crieliac ;ssjon succeeds to a dysentery, the 
ease is bad- They are always dangerous in old age, especially when 
the constitution has been broken by excess Qr acute diseases. If the 
stools be very frequent, air' q ?itc crude, the thirst great, with little 
urine, the mouth ulcerated, and the face marked with spots of differ- 
ent colours, the dauger is very »v at. 

The treatment of the patten, is in genera! the same as iu the dysen- 
tery. In all obstinate fluxes of the belly, the cure must be attempted, 
by first cieansing the stomach and bowels with gentle vomits and purges; 
afterwards such a diet as has a tendency to h<aal and strengthen the 
bowels, with opiate? and astringent medicines, will generally complete 
the cure. 

The same observation holds with respect to a tenesmus, or fre- 
quent desire of going to stool. This disease resembles the dysentery 
so much, both in its symptoms and method of cure, that we think it 
asedlesi to insist upon it. 



CHAPTER XXXV, 



OF THE HEADACHE. 

■% CHES and pains proceed from very different causes and may 
■ l\ affect any part of the body, but we shall point out those only 
iviiich occur most frequently, and are attended with the greatest dan- 
ger' 

When the head-ache is slight, and affects a particular part of the 
head only, it is called cephalalgia; when the whole head is affected, 
cephalceu ; and when on one side only, hemicrania. A fixed pain in 
the forehead, which may be covered with the end of the thumb, is 
called the clavis hystericus. 

There are also other distinctions. Sometimes the pain is internal, 
sometimes external ; sometimes it is an original disease, and at other 
times only symptomatic. When the head-ache proceeds from a hot 
bilious habit, the pain is very acute and throbbing, with a considera- 
ble heat of the part affected. When from a cold phlegmatic habit, th« 



U% OF THE HEAD-ACHE. 

patient complains of a dull heavy pain, and lias a sense of coldness id 
the part. This kind of head-ache is sometimes attended with a degree 
of stupidity or folly. 

Whatever obstructs the free circulation of the blood through the 
vessels of the head, may occasion a head-ache. In persons of a full 
habit, who abound with blood, or other humours, the head ache often 
proceeds from the suppression of customary evacuations; as bleeding 
at the nose, sweating of ti«e feet, &c. It may likewise proceed front 
an) cause that determines a great ilux of blood towards the head ; as 
coldness of the extremities, or hanging down of the head for a long 
time Whatever prevents the return of the blood from the h ad will 
likewise occasion a head ache ; as looking long obliqw ly at any object, 
wearing any thing tight about the nsck, a new hat or the like. 

When a head-ache proceeds from a stoppage of a running at the nose, 
there is a heavy, obtuse, pressing pain in the fore part of the head, in 
which there seems to be such a weight, that the patient can scarce hold 
it up. When it is occasioned by the caustic matter of tlie venereal 
disease, it generally affects the skull, and often produces a caries of 
the bones. 

Sometimes a head-ache proceeds from the repulsion or retrocession of 
the gout, the erysipelas, the small-pox, measles, itch, or other erup- 
tive diseases. What it called a hemicrania generally proceeds from 
crudities or indigestion. Inanition, or emptiness, will olten also occa- 
sion head-aches. I have often seen instances of this in nurses who gave 
suck too long, or who did not take a sufficient quantity of solid food. 

There is likewise a moiit violent, fixed, constant and almost intoler- 
able head-ache, which occasions great debility both of body and mind, 
prevents sleep, destroys til e appetite, Causes a vertigo, dimness of sight, 
a noise in the ears, convulsions, epileptic fits, and sometimes vomiting, 
costiveness, coldness of the extremities, &c. 

The head-ache is often symptomatic in continual and intermitting 
fevers, especially quartans. If is likewise a very common symptom 
in hysteric and hypochondriac complaints. 

When a head-ache attends an acute fever, with pale urine, it is an 
unfavourable symptom. In excessive headaches, coldness of the ex- 
tremities is a bad sign. 

When the disease continues long, and is very violent, it often ter- 
minates it) blindness, an apoplexy, deafness, a vertigo, the palsy or 
the epilepsy. 

In this disease the cool regimen in general is to be observed. Tiie 
diet ought to consist of such emollient substances as will correct the 
acrimony of the humour?, and keep the body open ; as apples boiled 
In milk, spinuage, turnips, and such like. The drink ought to be di- 
luting ; as barley-water, infusions of mild mucilaginous vegetables, 
decoctions of the sodorific woods, &c. The feet and legs ought to be 
*<ept warm, and frequently bathed in hike- warm water: the head 



OP THE HEAD-ACHE, 241 

should be shaved, and bathed with water and vinegar. The patient 
pu«;bt as much as possible to keep in an erect posture, and not to lie 
with his head too low. 

When the head- ache is owing to excess of blood, or an hot bilious 
constitution, bleeding is necessary. The patient may be bled iu the 
jugular vein, and the operation repeated if there be occasion- Cup- 
ping also, or the application of leeches to the tempi s, and behind the 
ears, will be of service. Afterwards a blistering plaster may be ap- 
plied to the ueck behind the ears, or to any part of the head fefaat is 
iiipst affected. In some cases it will be proper to blister the whole 
head. In persons of a gross habit, issues or perpetual blisters will 
be of service. The body ought likewise to be kept open by gentle 
laxatives. 

But when the head- ache proceeds from a copious vitiated serum stag- 
nating in the membrane?, either within or without the skull, with a 
dull, heavy, continual pain, which will neither yield to bleeding, nor 
geutle laxatives, then more powerful purgatives are necessary, as pills 
made of aloes, resing of jalap, or the like. It will also be necessary io 
this case to Milter the whole head, and to keep the back part of the 
neck open for a considerable time by a perpetual blister. 

When the head-ache is occasioned by the stoppage of a running at 
the nose, the patient should frequently smell to a bottle of volatile salts ; 
lie may likewise take snuff, or any thing that will irritate the nose, so 
as to promote a discharge from it; as the herb mastich, ground 
ivy, &c. 

A kemicrania, especially a periodical one, is generally owing to a 
foulness of the stomach, for which gentle vomits must be administered, 
as also purges of rhubarb. After the bowels have been sufficiently 
cleared, chalybeate waters, and such bitters as strengthen the stomach, 
wiij be necessary. A periodical head-ache has been cured bj wear- 
ing a piece of flannel over the forehead during the night. 

When the head-ache arises from a vitiated state of the humours, as 
in the scurvy, and venereal disease, the patient after proper evacua- 
tions, must drink freely of the decoction of woods, or the decoction 
pf sarsaparilla, with raisins and liquorice. These if duly persisted in, 
will produce very happy effects. When a collection of matter is felt 
under the skin, it must be discharged by an incision, otherwise it will 
render, the bone carious. 

When the head-ache is so intolerable as to endanger the patient's life, 
or is attended with continual watching and delirium, recourse must be 
had to opiates. These, after proper evacuations by clysters or mild 
purgatives, may be applied both externally and internally. The af- 
fected part may be rubbed with Bate's anodyne balsam, or a cloth 
dipped in it maybe applied to the part. The patient may, at the 
same time, take twenty drops of laudanum, iu a cup of valerian or 
penny- royal tea, twice or thrice a-day. This is only to be done is 



'Mi OF THE TOOTH-ACHE. 

case of extreme pain. Proper evacuations ought always to accompa- 
ny and follow the' use of opiates.* 

When the patient cauuot bear the loss of blood, his feet ought fre- 
quently to be baihel in lukewarm water, and well rubbed with a 
coarse cloth. Cataplasms, \yith mustard or horse-radish, ought like- 
wise to be applied to them. This course is peculiarly necessary 
ivhen the pain proceeds from a gouty humour affecting the head. 

AVhen the head-ache is occasioned by great heat, hard labour or 
violent exercise of any kind, it may be allayed by cooling medicines; 
as the saline draughts with nitre, and the like. 

A little tether, dvopt into the palm of the hand, and applied to the 
forehead, will sometimes remove a violent head-ache. 

OF THE TOOTH-ACHE. 

THIS disease is so well known, that it needs no description. It 
has great affinity with the rheumatism, and often succeeds pains of the 
shoulders and other parts of the body. 

It may proceed from obstructed perspiration, or any of the other 
causesjof inflammation 1 have often known the tooth-ache occasioned by 
neglecting some part of the usual coverings of the head, by sitting with 
the head bare near an open window, or exposing it to a draught of 
cold air. Food or drink taken either too hot or too cold is very hurt- 
ful to the teeth. Great quantities of sugar, or other sweat meats, are 
likewise hurtful. Nothing is more destructive to the teeth than crack- 
ing nuts, or chewing any kind of hard substances, picking the teeth 
■with pins, needles, or any thing that may hurt the enamel with which 
they are covered, does great mischief, as the tooth is sure to be spoil- 
ed whenever the air gets into it. Breeding women are very subject 
to the tooth-ache, especially during the first three or four months of 
pregnancy. The tooth-ache often proceeds from scorbutic humours 
affecting the gums. In this case the teeth are sometimes wasted, and 
fall out without any considerable degree of pain. The more immedi- 
ate cause of the tooth-ache is a rotten or carious tooth. 

In order to relieve the tooth-ache, we must first endeavour to lessen 
the flux of humours to the part affected. This may be done by 
mild purgatives, scarifying the gums, or applying leeches to them, 
and bathing the feet frequently with warm water. The perspiratioir 
ought likewise to be promoted, by drinking freely of weak wine-whey, 
or other diluting liquors, with small doses of nitre. Vomits too have 
often an exceeding good effect in the tooth-ache. It is seldom safe to 

* When the pain is very violent, and does not yield to small doses 
of laudanum, the quantity may be increased. I have known a patient 
in extreme pain, take three hundred drops in twenty-four hours; but 
such doses ought only to be administered by a person of skill. 



OF THE TOOTH-ACHE. Uk 

&td minister opiates, or any kind of heating medicines, or even to draw & 
tooth, till proper evacuations have been premised ; and these alone 
will often affect the cure 

If this fails, and the pain and inflammation still increase, a suppura- 
tion may be expected ; to promote which a toasted fig should be held 
between the gum and the cheek ; bags filled with boiled camomile 
flowers, flowers of elder, or the like may he applied near the part 
affected with as great a degree of warmth as the patient can hear, 
and renewed as they grow cool : the patient may likewise receive 
the steams of warm water into his moath, through an inverted funnel, 
or by holding his head over the moath of a porrjnger filled with warm 
water, &c. 

Such things as promote the discharge of saliva, or cause the patient 
to spit, are generally of service. For this purpose, bitter, hot, or 
pungent vegetables may be chewed ; as gentian, calamus aromaticus, 
or pellitqryof Spain- Allen, recommends the root of yellow water 
jiower-de-luce in this case. This root may either be rubbed upon the 
tooth, or a little of it chewed. Brookes says he hardly ever knew it 
fail to ease the tooth-ache. It ought however to be used with caution* 

Many other herbs, roots, and seeds, are recommended for curing 
the tooth-ache ; as the leaves or roots of millcfoil or yarrow chewed, 
tobacco smoaked or chewed, staves-acre, or the seeds of mustard 
chewed, &c. These bitter, hot, and pungent things, by occasioning 
i\ greater flow of saliva, frequently give, ease in the tooth-ache. 

Opiates often relieve the tooth-ache. For this purpose a little cotton 
yet with laudanum may be held between the teeth ; or a piece of, 
sticking-plaster, about the bigness of a shilling, with a bit of opium 
id the middle of it, of a size not to prevent the sticking of the other, 
may be laid on the temporal artery, where the pulsation is most sen- 
sible. Be la Mottc affirms, that there are few Cases wherein this will 
jiot give relief. If there be a hollow tooth, a small pill made of equal 
parts of camphire and opium,' put into the J hollow, is often beneficial. 

When this cannot be had, fclie hollow tooth may be filled with gum 
inastich, wax, lead, or any substance that will stick in it, and keep 
out the external air. 

Few applications give more relief in the tooth-ache than blistering- 
plasters. These may be applied between the shoulders; but they 
have the best effect when -put behind the ears, and made so large as to 
cover a great part of the lower jaw. 

After all, when the to,oth is carious, jt is often impossible to remove 
the pain without extracting it ; and, as a spoilt tooth never becomes 
sound again, it is prudent to draw it soon, lest it should affect the rest. 
Tooth-drawing, like bleeding, is very much practised by mechanics, 
as we'll as persons of the medical profession. — The operatipn however 
is not without danger, and ought always to be performed with care. 
A person unacquainted with the structure of the parts will be in date- 



OF THE EAR-ACHE. 

ger of hurting the jaw-bone, or of drawing a sound tooth instead of ^ 
rotten one.* 

Wlien the tooth-ache returns periodically, and the pain chiefly af- 
fects the gums, it may be cured by the bark. 

Some pretend to have found great benefit in the tooth-ache, from 
the application of an artificial magnet to the affected tooth. "V^e shall 
no: attempt to account foi its mode of operation; but, if it be found to 
answer, though only in particular cases, it certainly deseryes a trial, 
as it is attended with no expense, and cannot do any harm. Electri- 
city has likewise been recommended, and particular inttruments have 
been invented for sending a shock trough the affected tooth. 

Persons who have returns of the tooth-ache at certain seasons, as 
spring and autumn, might often prevent to. by taking a purge at these 
times. 

Keeping the teeth clean has no doubt a tendency to prevent the 
tooth aclie. The best method of doing ihis is to uash them daily with 
salt and water, a decoction of the hark, or with cold water alone. All 
brushing and scraping of the teeth is dangerous, and, unless it be per- 
formed with great care, does mischief. 

OF THE EAR-ACHE. 

THIS disorder chiefly affects the membrane which lines the inner 
cavity if the ear, called the meatus auditorius. It is often so violent 
at ■><■ - ion great restlessness, anxiety, and even delirium. Some- 
times epileptic fit*, and other convulsive disorders, have been brought 
on try ■ rttei ;e pain in the ear- 

The -r ach" may proceed from any of the causes which produce 
inflammation, it of'eu proceeds from a sudden suppression of per- 
!, or freri! the head being exposed to cold when covered with 
It may also be occasioned by worms, or other insects getting 
in;.- the eat-, or being bred there ; or from any hard Lody sticking in 
ihc tar. Sometimes it proceeds from the translation of morbific mat- 
ter to the ear. This often happens in the decline of malignant fevers, 
and occasions deafness, which is generally reckoned a favourable 
symptom. 

When the ear-ache proceeds from insects, or any hard body stick- 
ing in the ear, every method must be taken to remove them as soon as 
possible. The membranes may be relaxed, by dropping into the ear, 
oil of sweet almonds, or olive oil. Afterwards the patient should be 
made to sneeze, by taking snuff, or some strong sternutatory. If this 
should not force out the body, it must be extracted by art. 1 have 

* This may- always be prevented by the operator strikiug upon the. 
teeth with any piece of metal, as this never fails to excite the pain S3 
the carious tooth. 



PAIN ®$ THE STOMACH, &e. 25 f 

Seen insects, which had got into the ear, come out of their own accord 
iipon pouring in oil. 

When the pain of the ear proceeds from inflammation, it must be 
treated like other topical inflammations, by a cooling regimen, and 
opening medicines. Bleeding at the beginning, either in the arm or 
jugumr vein, or cupping in the neck will be proper. The ear may 
likewise be fomented with steams of warm water ; or flannel bags til- 
led with boiled mallows and camomile-flowers may be applied to it 
warm; or bladders filled with warm milk and water. An exceeding 
good method of fomenting the ear, is to apply it close to the mouth 
of a jug filled with warm water, or a strong decoction of camomile- 
flowers. 

The patient's feet should be frequently bathed in lukewarm water, 
and he ought to take small doses of nitre and rhubarb, viz. a scrapie 
of the former, and ten grains of the latter, three tunes a day. His 
drink may be whey, or a decoction of barley and liquorice, with figs 
or raisins. The parts behind the ear ought frequently to be rubbed 
with camphorated oh, or a little of the volatile liniment. 

When the inflammation cannot be discussed, a poultice of bread and 
milk, or coasted onions, may be applied to the ear, and frequently re- 
newed, till the abscess breaks^or can be opened. Afterwards the 
humours may be diverted from the part by gentle laxative blisters, or 
issues ; but the discharge must not be suddenly dried up by any ex- 
ternal application* 

PAIN OF THE STOMACH, &c. 

THIS may proceed from various causes, as indigestion; Wind? 
the acrimony of the bile ; sharp, acrid, or po*;ouous substances taken 
into the stomach, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by worms; the 
stoppage of customary evacuations ; a translation of gouty matter to 
the stomach, the bowels, &c. 

Women in the decline of life are very liable to pains of the stomach 
and bowels, especially such a? are afflicted with hysteric complaints. 
It is likewise very common to hypochondriac men of a sedentary and 
luxurious life, fo such persons it often proves so extremely obstinate 
as to baffle all 'he powers of medicine. 

When che*pain of the stomach is most violent after eating, there is 
reasori to suspect that it proceeds from some fault, either in the digest- '. 
ion or the food. In this case the patient ought to change his diet, till 
he finds what kind of food agrees best with his stomach, and should 
continue chiefly to use it. If a change of diet does not remove th& 
complaint, the patient may take a gentle vomit, and afterwards a dose 
for two of rhubarb. He ought likewise to take an infusion of camomile 
lowers, or some other stomachic bitter, eithef in wine or Water. X 



252 Vim OF THE STOMACH, &c 

have oflen kuown exercise remove this complaint, especially sailing, or 
a Ions journey on horseback, or iu a carriage. 

When a pain of the stomach proceeds from flatulency, the patient is 
Constantly belching up wind, and feels an uneasy distention of the stom- 
ach after meals. T ins is a most deplorable disease, and is seldom 
thoroughly cured. In general, the patient ought to avoid all windy 
diet, and every thing that sours on the stomach, as greens, roots, &c. 
This rule however admits of some exceptions. There are many in- 
stances of persons very much troubled with wind, who have received. 
great benefit from eating parched pease, though that grain is generally 
siipposed to be of a windy nature * 

This complaint may likewise be greatly relieved by labour, espe- 
cially digging, reaping, mowing, or any kind of active employment by 
which the bowels are alternately compressed and dilated. The most 
obstinate ca?e of this kind I ever met with, was iu a person of a seden- 
tary occupation, whom 1 advised, after he had tried every kind of 
medicine in vain, to turn gardener, which he did, and has ever since 
enjoyed good health. 

When a pain of the stomach is occasioned by the swallowing of acrid 
or poisonous substances, they must be discharged, by vomit; this may 
be excited by butter, oils, or other soft things, which sheathe and de- 
fend the stomach from the acrimony of its contents. 

When a pain c'f the stomach proceeds from a translation of gouty 
matter, warm cordials are necessary, as generous wines, French bran- 
dy, &c. Some have drank a whole bottle of brandy or rum, in this 
case, in a few hours, without being in the least intoxicated, or even feel- 
ing the stomach wanned by it. It is impossible to ascertain the quantity 
necessary upon these occasions. This must be left to the feelings and 
discretion of the patient. The safer way however, is not to go too far. 
"When there is an inclination to vomit, it may be promoted by driuk- 
tog an infusion of camomile-tlot-ers, or carduus bcncdiclus. 

Jf the pain of the stomach proved from the stoppage of customary 
evacuations, bleeding will be necessary, especially in sanguine and 
very full habits. It will likewise be ia use to keep the body gently 
opsn by mild purgatives ; as rhubarb or senna. "When this disease 
affects women in the decline of life, after the stoppage *f the metises, 
making an issue in the leg or arm Avill be of peculiar service. 

When the disease is occasioned by worms, they must be destroyed, 
or expelled by such means as are recommended in the following sec- 
tion. 

When, the stomach is greatly relaxed and the digestion bad, which 
often occasion flatulencies, the elixir of vitriol will be of singular ser- 



* These are prepared by steeping or soaking pease in water, and 
afterwards drying them in a pot cv kiln, till they be quite hard. They 

rmy be used at pleasure, 



OF worms. tm 

Vjce. Fifteen or, twenty drops of it may be taken in a glass of wine 
4v water twiCe or thrice a- day. 

Persons afflicted with flatulency are generally unhappy unless they 
be taking some purgative medicines: these, though they may give im- 
mediate ease, tend to weaken and relax the stomach and bowels, and 
Consequently increase the disorder. Their best method is to mix pur- 
gatives and stomachics together. Equal parts of Peruvian bark and 
rhubarb may be infused in brandy or wine, and taken in such quantity 
as to keep the body gebtly open. 



CHAPTER XXXVfe 



OF WORMS. 

fHESE are chiefly of three kinds, viz. the taenia, or tape wormf 
the teres, or round and long worm ; and the ascarides, or round 
and short worm. There are many other kinds of worms found in the 
human body; but as they proceed, in a great measure, Irom similar 
caus.es, have nearly the same symptoms, and require almost the same 
method of treatment as these already mentioned, we shall not spend 
time in enumerating them. 

The tape worm is white, very long, and full of joints. It is gener- 
ally bred either in the stomach or small intestines. The round and 
long worm is likewise bred in the small guts, and sometimes in the 
stomach. The round and short. Worms, commonly lodge in the rectum, 
or what is called the end gut, and occasion a disagreeable itching about 
the seat. 

The long round worms occasion squeamishness, vorrnting, a disagree- 
able breath, gripes, looseness, swelling of the belly, swoonings, loathing 
of food, and at other times a voracious appetite, a dry cough, Convul- 
sions, epileptic fits, and sometimes a privation of speech. These worms 
have been known to perforate the intestines, and get into the cavity of 
the belly. The effects of the tape-worm are nearly the same with 
those of the long and round, but rather more violent. 

Andry says, the following symptoms particularly attend the solium, 
which is a species of the tape- worm, viz. swoonings, privation of speech, 
and a voracious appetite. The round worms called ascarides, besides 
an itching of the anus, cause swoonings;, and tenesmus, or an inclina- 
tion to go to stool. 

CAUSE. — Worms may proceed from various causes ; but they 
&re seldom found except in weak and relaxed stomachs, where the di= 



2o± OF WORMS. 

gestion is bad. Sedentary persons are more liable to them than ttte 
active and laborious. Those who eat great quantities of unripe fruit, 
or who lire much on raw herbs at id roots, are generally subject id 
worms. There ■•oems to be an hereditary disposition in some persous 
to this disease. I have often seen all the children of a family subject 
to worms of a particular kind. They seem likewise, frequently to be 
owing to the nurse. Children of the same family, nursed b) one wo- 
man, have often worms, when those nursed by auother have none: 

SYMPTOMS — The common symptoms of worms aie paleness of 
the countenance, and at other times, an universal tlusliing ot >he face j 
itching of the nose ; this however is doubtful, as children pick iieir 
noses in all diseases ; starting and grinding of the teeth in steep ; swell- 
ing of the upper lip; the appetite sometimes bad, at other times quite 
voracious ; looseness ; a sour or stinking breaih ; a hard swelled b< llj ; 
great thirst ; the urine frothy, and sometimes of a whitish colour ; pi- 
ping, or colic pains; an involuntary discharge of saliva, especially 
wheu asleep; frequent pains of the side, wkh a dry cough, ?mi une- 
qual pulse ; palpitations of the heart : swooniogs; cold sweats: palsy; 
epileptic fits, with many other uuaccountable nervous symptoms, which 
were formerly attributed to witch craft, or the influence of evil spirits, 
Small bodies in the excrements resembling melon or cucumber seed 
are symptoms of the tape- worm. 

I lately saw some very surprising effects of worms in a girl about 
iive yeais of age, who used to lie for whole houi* as if dead She at 
last expired, and upon opening her body, a number of the t<rc* or 
long round worms, were found in her guts, which were considerably 
inflamed; and what anatomists call an intus su*ccptio, or involving of 
one part of the gut with another, hsd taken place iu no less than toft* 
different parte of the intestinal c; 

MEDICINE. — Though 31 mbcrless medicines are extolled for ex- 
pelling and killing Worms,f yet no disease more frequently baffles the 
physician's skill. In general, the most proper medicines for their ex- 
pulsion are strong purgatives; and to prevent their breeding, stomach 
bitters, with now and then a full glass of good wine. 

* That worms exist in the human body, there can be no doubt ; and 
>:!iat they must sometimes be considered as a disease, is equally cer- 
tain ; hut this is not the case so often as people imagine. 'I he idea 
that worms occasion many diseases, gives an opportunity to the profesfr 
ed worm doctors of imposing on the credulity of mankind, and do- 
Sng much mischief. They find worms in every case, and liberally 
throw in their antidotes, which generally consist of strong drastic, pur- 
ges, I have known these given in delicate constitutions to the des- 
truction of the patient, where there was not the least s) mptcm of worms. 

f A medical writer of the present age has enumerated upwards of 
fifty British plants, all celebrated for killing and expelling worms. 



OB WORMS. 2a ^ 

The best purge for an adult is jalap and calomel. Five and twen- 
ty or thirty grains ef the former with six or seven of the latter, mix- 
jjd in syrup, may be taken early in the morning for a dose. It will be 
proper that the patient keep the house ail day, and drink nothing cold. 
The dose may be repeated once or twice a week for a fortnight or 
jfbree weeks Qn the . intermediate days the patient may take a 
drachm of the powder of tin, twice or thrice a-day, mixed with syrup- 
honey, or treacle. 

Those who do not choose to take calomel, may make use of the; 
bitter purgatives ; as aloes, hiera picra, tincture of senna, and rhu- 
barb, &c. 

Oily medicines are sometimes found beneficial for expelling worms. 
An ounce of salad oil and a table-spoonful of common salt may be 
taken in a glass of red port wine thrice a-day, or oftcner, if the stom- 
ach will bear it. But the more common form of using oil is in clys- 
ters Oily clysters sweetened with sugar or honey, are very effica- 
cious in bringing away the short round worms called ascarides, and 
likewise the ttres. 

The Harrowgate water is an excellent medicine for expelling worms, 
especially the ascarides. As this water is impregnated with sulphur, 
we may hence infer, that sulphur alone must be a good medicine in 
this case ; which is found to be a fact. Many practitioners give flour 
of sulphur in very large doses, and with great success. It should be 
made into an electuary with honey or treacle, and taken in such quan- 
tity as to purge the patient. 

Where Harrowgate water cannot be obtained, sear-water may be 
used, which is far from being a contemptible medicine in this case. If 
sea- water cannot be had, coinmon salt dissolved in water may be 
drank. I have often seen this used by country nurses Avith very good 
effect- Some flour of sulphur may be taken over night, and the salt 
water in the morning. 

But worms though expelled, will soon breed again, if the stomareh 
remains weak and relaxed ; to prevent which we would recommend the 
Peruvian bark Half a drachm of bark in powder may be taken in a 
glass of red port wine three or four times a-day, after the above medi- 
cines haye been used. Lime-water is likewise good for this purpose, 
or a table-spoonful of the chalybeate wine taken twice or thrice a-day. 
Infusions or decoctions of bitter herbs may likewise be drank ; as the 
infusion of tansy, water trefoil, camomile flowers, tops of wormwood, 
the lesser centaury, &c. 

For a child of four or five years old, six grains of rhubarb, five of 
jallap, and two of calomel, may be mixed in a spoonful of syrup or 
honey, and given in the morning. The child should keep the house 
all day, and take nothing cold. This dose may be repeated twice 
a-week for three or four weeks. On the intermediate days the child 
m'ij take a scruple of powdered tin and ten grains of sethiops ' mineral 



256 OF WORMS. 

in a spoonful of treacle twice a-flay. This dose must be increase^ 
or diminished according to the age of the patient. 

Bisset says, the great bastard black hellebore, or bear's foot, is a 
most powerful vermifuge for the long round worm. He orders the 
decoction of about a drachm of the green leaves, or about fifteen 
grain? ol the dried leaves in powder for a dose to a child between four 
and seven years of age. This dose is to be* repeated two or three 
time?. He adds that the green leaves made into a syrup with coarse 
Siiiiai , U almost the only medicine he has used for round worms for 
three years past. Before pressing out the juice he moistens the 
bruised leaves with vinegar, which corrects the medicine. The dose 
is a tea spoonful at bed time, and one or two next morning. 

I have frequently known those big bribes, which in children are 
commonly reckoned a sign of worm?, quite removed by giving them 
white soap in their pottage, or other food. Tansy, garlic, ami rue, 
are ail good against worms, and may be used various ways. We 
might here mention many other plants, both for externa! and internal 
use, as the cabbage bark, &c. but think the powder of tin with 
sethiops mineral, a:>d the purges of rhubarb and calomel, are more tc 
be depended on. 

Ball's purging vermifuge powder is a very powerful medicine. It 
is made of equal parts of rhubarb, scammony, and calomel, with as 
much double refined sugar as is equal to the weight of all the other iu- 
gredients. These must be well mixed together, and reduced to a fine 
powder. The dose for a child is from ten grains to twenty, once or 
twice a week. An tdult may take a drachm for a dose.* 

Parents who would preserve their children from worms ought to al- 

i exercise in the open air; to take care that their 

: i.e wholesome and sufficiently solid ; and as far as possible, to 

nt their eating raw herbs, roots, or green trashy fruits. It will 

• amiss to allow a child who is subject to worms, a glass of red 

ifh meals; as every thing that braces and strengthens the stom- 

is gt od both for preventing and expelling these vermin.f 

* \ powder for the tape- worm resembling this, was long kept a se- 
.,- ret on the continent, it was lately purchased by the French king. 

t We think it necessary here to warn people of their danger who 
buy cakes, powders and other worm medicines, at random, from 
quacks, and give them to their children without proper care. The 
principle ingredients in most of these medicines is mercury, which is 
never to be trifled with. I lately saw a shocking instance of the dan- 
ger of this conduct. A girl who had taken a dose of worm powder, 
bought of a travelling quack, went out, and, perhaps, was so imprudent 
as to drink cold water during its operation. She immediately swelled, 
and died on the following day with all the symptoms of having been 
pojsoued. 



QF THE JAUNDICE. m 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

OF THE JAUNDICE. 

OH II IS disease is first observable in the while of the eye, which 
JL appears yellow. Afterwards the whole skin pats ou-a-yelloW: 
appearance. The urine too is of a saffron hue, and dies a Mfbile. 
cloth of the same colour. There is likewise a species of ibis disease 
called the Black Jaundice. 

CAUSES. — The intermediate cause of the jaundice is an obstruc- 
tion of the bile. The remote or occasional causes are, the biics of 
poisonous animals, as the viper, mad dog, &c. the bilious or hys- 
teric colic ; violent passions, as g?ief, anger, &c. Strong purges or 
vomits will likewise occasion the jaundice. Sometimes it proceeds 
from obstinate agues, or from that disease being prematurely stopped 
by astringent medicines. In infants it is often occasioned bv the me- 
conium not being sufficiently purged off. Pregnant women are very 
subject to it. It is likewise a symptom in several kinds of fever. 
Catching cold, or the stoppage of customary evacuations, as the men- 
ses, the bleeding piles, issues, &c. will occasion the jaundice. 

SYMPTOMS. — The patient at first complains of excessive wea- 
riness, and has great aversion to every kind of motion. His skin is 
dry, and he generally feels a kind of itching or pricking pain over 
the whole body. The stools are of a whitish or clay colour, and the 
saline, as was observed above, is yellow. The breathing is difficult, 
and the patient complains of an unusual load or oppression on his 
breast. There is a heat in his nostrils, a bitter taste in the mouth, 
loathing of food, sickness of the stomach, vomiting, flatulency, and 
other symptoms of indigestion. 

If the patient be young, and the disease complicated with no other 
malady, it is seldom dangerous ; but in old people, where it continues 
long, returns frequently, or is complicated with the dropsy or hypo- 
chondriac symptoms, it generally proves fatal. The black jaundice 
is more dangerous than the yellow. 

REGIMEN. — The diet should be cool, light, and diluting, con- 
sisting chiefly of ripe fruits and miid vegetables; as apples boiled or 
roasted, stewed prunes, preserved plums, boiled spinnage, &c. Veal 
or chicken broth, with light bread, are likewise very proper. Many 
|;ave been cured by living almost wholly for some days on raw eggs. 
The drink should be butter-milk, whey sweetened with honey, or 
decoctions of cool opening vegetables; or marsh-mallow roots with U« 
Vutorice, &c. ' ' 

33 



258 OF THE JAUNDICE. 

The patient should take as much exercise as he can bear, either ok 
horseback ir in -? carriage; walking, ruuning and even jumping, are 
likewise proper, provided he can bear them without pain, anr' there 
be no symptoms of inflammation. Patient* have been often cured of 
this disease by a long journey, after medicines had proved ineffect- 
ual. 

Amusements 3re likewise of great use in the jaundice. The disease 
is often occasioned by a sedentary life, joined to a cull melancholy 
disposition. Whatever therefore tends to promote the circulation, and 
to cheer the spirits, must have a good effect; as dancing, laughing, 

MEDICINE — If the pntient be young, of a full sanguine habit, 
and complains of pain in die right side about the region of the liver, 
bleeding *:h he necessary. Alter this a vomit must be administered, 
and if the disease proves obstinate, it may be repealed once or twice: 
No me iicines are more beneficial in the jaundice lhau vomits, espe- 
cially where it is not attended with inflammation. Haifa drachm of 
Ipecacuanha in powder will be a sufficient dose tor an adult. It may 
be wrought off with weak camomile-tea, or lukewarm water. The 
body n as f likewise be kept open by taking a sufficient quantity 
ofcastile soap, or the pills for the jaundice recommended in the Ap- 
pendix. c 

Fomenting the parts about the region of the stomach. aud liver, and 
rubbing them with a warm hand or flesh-brush, are likewise benefi- 
cial; but it is still more so for ths patient to sit in a bath of warm wa- 
ter up to the breast. He ought to do this frequently, and should 
continue In it as loug as his strength will permit. 

Many dirty things are recommended for the cure of the jaundice ; 
as lice, millepedes, dice. Eut these do more harm than good, as peo- 
ple trust to them, and neglect more valuable medicioes; besides they 
are seldom taken in sufficient quantity to produce any effects. People 
always expect that such things should act as charms, and consequent- 
ly seldom persist in the use of them. Vomits, purges, fomentation?, 
and exercise, will seldom fail to cure the jaundice when it is a simple 
disease ; and when complicated with the drop-y, a scirrhus liver, or 
other chronic complaints, it U hardly to be cured by any means. 

Numberless British herbs are extolled for the cure of this disease. 
The author of the Medicina Britannica mentions near a hundred, all 
famous for curing the jaundice. The fact is, the disease often goes off 
of its own accord; in which case the last medicine is always said to 
have performed the cure. I have sometimes, however, speu consider- 
able benefit in a very obstinate jaundice, from a decoction of hemp- 
seed. Four ounces of the seed may be boiled in two English quarts 
of ale, a-id sweetened with coarse sugar. The dose is hnlf an Eng- 
lish piut every morning. It may be continued for eight or nine da;. r 

I have likewise known Harrowgate sulphur water cure a jaundice 



OF THE DROPST. 2$6 

t-f very long standing. It should be used for some weeks, and the 
patient, must both drink and bathe. 

The soluble tartar is a very proper medicine in the jaundice. A 
drachm of it may be taken every Bight and rooming in a cup of tea 
or water gruel. If it does not open the body, ihe dose may be in- 
creased. 

Persons subject to the jaundice ought to take as much exercise as 
t)6ssible, and to avoid all heating and astringent aliments. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



OF THE DROPSY. 

THE dropsy is a preternatural swelling of the whole body, or some 
part of it, occasioned by a collection of watery humour. It is dis- 
tinguished by different names, according to the part affected, as the 
anasarca, or collection of water under the skin ; the ascites, or collec- 
tion of water in the belly ; the hydrops pectoris, or dropsy of the breast ; 
the hydrobephalus, or dropsy of the brain, &c. 

CA.USES. — The dropsy is often owing to an hereditary disposition. 
It may likewise proceed from drinking ardent spirits, or other strong 
liquors. It is true almost to a proverb, that great di inkers die of the 
dropsy. The want of exercise is also a very common cause of the 
dropsy. Hence it is justly reckoned among the diseases of the seden- 
tary. It often proceeds from excessive evacuations, as frequeut and 
copious bleeding, strong; purges often repeated, frequent salivations, &c. 
The sudden stoppage of customary or necessary evacuations, as the 
menses, the haemorrhoids, fluxes of the belly, &c. may likewise cause 
a dropsy. 

I have known the dropsy occasioned by drinking large quantities of 
cold, Weak, watery liquor, when the body was heated by violent exer- 
cise. A low, damp, or marshy situation is likewise a frequent cause 
of it. Hence it is a common disease in moist, Oat, fenny countries. 
It may also be brought on by a long use of poor watery diet, or of vis- 
cous aliment that is hard of digestion. It is often the effect of other 
diseases, at, the jaundice, a schirrhus of the liver, a violent ague of long 
continuance, a diarhcea, dysentery, an empyema, or a consumption of 
the lungs. In short, whatever obstructs the perspiration, or prevents 
the blood from being duly prepared, may occasion a dropsy. 

SYMPTOMS. — The anasarca generally begins with a swelling of 
the feet and ancles towards night, which for some time disappears in the 



260 OF THE DROPSY. 

morning. In the evening tlie pails, if pressed ivith the finger, will pit', 
The swelling gradually ascends, and occupies the trunk of the body, 
the arms, n;id the head. Afterwards the breathing becomes dif- 
ficult, the urme is in small quantity, and the thirst great; the body iff 
bound, and the perspiration is greatly obstructed. To these succeed 
torpor, heaviness, a slow wasting fever, and a troublesome cough. This 
ly a fataUymptom, as it shews that the lungs are affected. 
i ascites, besides the above symptoms, there is a swelling of the 
belly, and often a fluctuation, which may be perceived by striking the 
belly on one, bide, and laj ing the palm of the hand on the opposite, 
ay be distinguished from a tympany by the weight of the swell- 
ing, as well as by the fluctuation. When the anasarca and ascites are 
combined', the case is very dangerous. Even a simple ascites seldom 
admits of a radical cure. Almost all that can be done is, to let off the 
, tapping, which seldom affords more than a temporary n -lief. 

when the disease comes suddenly oa ; and the paiieut is young and 
strong, there i? reason, however, to hope for a cure, especially if med- 
icine :;e given early But if the patient be old, has led an irregular or 
a sedentary life, or if there be reason to suspect that the liver, lungs', 
or any of the viscera arc unsound, there is great reason to fear that the 
consequences will prove fatal". 

REGIMEN". — The patient must abstain as much as possible from 
all dunk, especially weak and watery liquors, arid must quench Ins 
thirst with mustard-whey, or acids, as juice of lemons, oranges, sorrel, 
or such like. His aliment ought to be dry, of a stimulating and di- 
uretic quality, as toasted bread, the flesh of birds or other wild ani- 
mals roasted ; pungent and aromatic vegetables, as garlic, mustard, on- 
ions, cresses, horse-radish, rocambole, shalot, "&c. He may also eat 
sea-biscuit dipt in wine or a little brandy. This is not only nourish- 
ing, but tends to quench thirst. Some have been actually cured of a 
drops} by a total abstinence from all liquids, and living entirely upon 
such things as are mentioned above. If the patient must have drink, 
the Spa water, or Rhenish wine, with diuretic medicines infused in it, 
are the best. 

Exercise is of the greatest importance in a dropsy. If the patient 
be able to walk, dig, or the like, he ought to continue these exercises 
as long as he can. If he is not able to walk or labour, he must ride 
on horseback, or in a carriage, and the more violent the motion so 
much the better, provided he can bear it. His bed ought to be hard, 
and the air ot his apartments warm and dry. If he lives in a damp 
country, he ought to be removed into a dry one, and if possible, into a 
warmer climate. In a word, eveiy method should be taken to promote 
the perspiration, and to brace the solids. For this purpose it will lile- 
wisc be proper to rub the patient's body two or three times a day, with 
a hard cloth, or the flesh-brush 5 and he ought constautlj to wear fla& 
U his skin. 



OF THE DROPSY. 25* 

MEDICINE.— If the patient be young, his constitution good, and 
Uie disease has come on suddenly, it may generally be removed by 
strong vomits, brisk purges, and such medicines as promote a discharge 
by sweat and urine. For au adult, half a'drachm of ipecacuan'ha hi 
powder, and half ah ounce of oxyniel of squills will be a proper vbitoitl 
This may be repeated as often as is necessary, three or four days in- 
tervening between the doses. The patient must a:>t dri.uk much ai'ler 
Sating the vomit, otherwise he destroys its effect. A wp or two of 
camomile tea wid be sufficient So work it off 

Between each vomit, on one of the inter raedi '.to dsys, the patient 
may take the following purge : Jalap in powder half a drachm, cream 
of tartar two drachms, calomel six grains. These a:ay be madie into 
a bolus with a little syrup of pale roses, and taken early in the morn- 
ing. The less the patient drinks after it, the better. If he be much 
griped, he may now aud then take a cup of chicken broth. 

The patieut may likewise take every night at bedtime the following 
bolus : To four or live grains of camphor add one grain of opium, and 
as much syrup of orange-peal as is sufficient to make them into a bo- 
lus. This will generally promote a gentle sweat, which should be en- 
eouraged by drinking now and then a small cup of wine-whey, with a 
tea-spoonful of the spirits of hartshorn in it. — A tea-cupful of the fol- 
lowing diuretic infusion may likewise be taken every four or five hours 
through the clay. 

Take -juniper berries, mustard-seed, and horseradish, of each half 
an ounce, ashes of broom half a pound ; infuse them in a quart of 
lihenish wine or strong ale for a few days, and afterwards strain off 
the liquor. Such as cannot take this infusion, may use the decoction 
of seneka-root, which is both diuretic and sudorific. I have known 
an obstinate anasarca cured by an infusion of the ashes ol broom in 
wine.' 

The above course will often cure an incidental dropsy, if the con- 
stitution be good ; but when the disease proceeds from a bad habit, or 
an unsound state of the viscera, strong purges aud vomits are not to 
be ventured upon. In this case, the safer course is- to palliate the 
symptoms by the use of such medicines as promote the secretions, and 
to support the patient's strength by warm and nourishing cordials. 

The secretion of urine may be greatly promoted by nitre. Bronkes 
says, he knew a young woman who was cured of a dropsy by taking 
a drachm of nitre every morning in a draught of ale, after she had 
been given over as incurable, The powder of squills is likewise a 
good diuretic. Six or eight grains of it, with a scruple of. nitre, may 
be given twice a-day in a glass of strong cinnamon- water. Ball says, 
a large spoonful of unbruised mustard-seed taken every night and mor- 
ning, and drinking half an English pint of the decoction of the tops 
of green broom after it, has performed a cure after other powerful 
Medicines had proved ineffectual. 



262 OF THE DROPSY. 

I have sometimes seen good effects from cream of tartar in thii 
disease. It promotes the discharges by stool and urine, and will at 
least palliate, it' it does not perk rm a cure. '. y begirt 

by taking au c<;nce every second or third da , h mry increase the 
quantity to two or even to three ...uoces, if the . om.,eh will bear it. This 
quantity is not however to be takeu at once, but divided into three or 
four doses. 

To promo'* perspirati >n, the patient may use the decoction of sene^ 
ka-root, as directed above; or he may take two bole-spoons; d of Min- 
dereriio' spirit in a cup of wine- whey three, or four times a-day. To 
promote a discharge of urine, the following infusion of the London hos- 
pitals will likewise be beueficial -. 

Take of zedoary-root two drachms ; dried squills, rhubarb, and ju- 
niper berries bruised, of each a drachm; cinnamon in powder three 
drachms; salt of worm- wood, a drachm and a half; infuse in an Eng- 
lish pint and a half of old hock wine, and when fit for use, nitre die 
liquor. A vine glass of it may be taken three or tour times a-riay. 

In the anasarca it is usual to scarify the feet and legs By this 
means the water is often discharged ; but the operator must be cautious 
not to make the incisions too deep ; they ought barely to pierce through 
the skin, and especial care must be taken, by spirituous fomentations 
and proper digestives, to prevent a gangrene. 

In an ascites, when the disease does not evidently and speedily give 
■way to purgative and diuretic medicines, the water ought to be let off 
by tapping. This is a Very simple and safe operation, and would often 
succeed if it were performed in due time ; but if it be delayed till the 
humours are vitiated, or the bowels spoiled, by loing soaking in water, 
it cpn hardly be expected that any permanent relief will be procured.* 

After the evacuation of the water, the patient is to be put on a course 
of strengthening medicines ; as the Peruvian bark; the elixir of vitri- 
ol ; warm aromatics, with a due proportion of rhubarb, infused in wine, 
and such like. His diet ought to he dry and nourishing, such as is 
recommended iri the beginning of the chapter, and he should take as 
much exercise as he can bear without fatigue. He should wear flan- 
nel nest his skin, and make daily use of the flesh- brush. 

* The very name of an operation is dreadful to most people, and 
they wish to try every thing before they have recourse to it. This is 
the reason why tapping so seldom succeeds to our wish. I have had 
a patient who was regularly tapped once a month for several years, anef 
who used \p eat her dinner as well after the operation as if nothiDg 
had happened; She died at last rather worn out by age than the dis- 
ease. 



QF-T-HB GOUT. 2m 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



OF THE GOUT. 

THERE is no disease which shews more the imperfection of medi- 
cine, or sets the advantages of temperance and exercise in a strong- 
er light, than the gout. Excess and idleness are the true sources from 
whence it originally sprung, and all who would avoid it must be ac- 
tive and temperate. 

Though idleness and intemperance are the principal causes of the 
gout, yet many other things may contribute to bring on the disorder, 
and to induce a paroxysm in those who are subject to it ; as intense 
study ; too free an use of acidulated liquors ; night- watching ; grief or 
uneasiness of miud ; an obstruction or defect of any of the customary 
discharges, as the menses, sweating of the feet, perspiration, &c. 

SYMPTOMS— A fit of the gout is generally preceded by indi- 
gestion, drowsiness, belching of wind, a slight head-ache, sickness, 
and sometimes vomiting. The patientcompiains of weariness, and de- 
jectiou of spirits, and has often a pain in the limbs, with a sensation 
as if wind or cold water were passing down the thigh. The appetite 
is often remarkably keen a day or two before the fit, and there is a 
slight pain in passing urine, and frequently an involuntary shedding of 
tears. Sometimes these symptoms are much more violent, especially 
upon the near approach of the fit ; and it has been observed, that as 
is the fever which ushers in the gout, so will the fit be ; if the fever 
be short and sharp, the fit will be so likewise ; if it be feeble, long and 
lingering, the fit will be such also. But this observation can only hold 
with respect to very regular fits of the gout. 

The regular gout generally makes its attack in the spring or begin- 
ning of winter, in the following manner : About two or three in the 
morning, the patient is siezed with a pain in his great toe, sometimes 
in the heel, and at other times in the anc}e or calf of the leg. This 
pain is accompanied with a sensation as if cold water were poured up- 
on the part, which is succeeded by a shivering, with some degree of 
fever. Afterwards the pain increases, and fixing among the small 
bones of the foot, the patient feels all tlw different kinds of torture, as 
if the part were stretched, burnt, squeezed, gnawed, or torn to pieces. 
The part at length becomes so exquisitely sensible; that the patient 
cannot bear to have it touched, or even suffer any person to walk across 
the room. 

The patient is generally in exquisite torture for twenty-four hours from 
the time of the coming on of the fit; he then becomes easier, the part 
begins to swell, appears red, and is covered with a little moisture, 



OF THE GOVT. 

Towards morning he drops asleep, and generally falls into a : 
breathing sweat. This terminates the first paroxysm, a number of 
which constitutes a fit ci' the gout; which is longer or shorter, accor- 
ding to the patient's age, strength, the season of the je?r, and the dis- 
position of the body to this disease. 

The patient is always worse towards night, and easier in the morn- 
ing. The paroxysms however generally grow milder every day, till 
at length the di -led off by perspiration, urine and the other 

evacuations. Iu some patients this happens iu a few days; in others 
i: requires weeks ; and in some, months, to finish the fit. Those whom 
age and frequent fits of the gout have greatly debilitated, seldom get 
tVee from ii before '.he approach of snmmer, and sometimes not till it 
Lc pretty Car advanced. 

KEG IMEN.—As there are do medicines yet known that will cure 
the gout, we shall confine oui observations chiefly to regimen, both in 
and oat of the fit » 

Iu the fi*, it the patient be young and strong, his diet ought to be 
thin and cooling, and his drink of a diluting nature; but where the 
constitution L weak, and the patient has been accustomed to live high, 
t.iis is no; a proper time to retrench. In this case he must keep nearly 
tj bis usual rJteH, and should fake frequently a cup of strong negus, or 
i: glass of generous wine, Y*ine whey is a very proper drink in this 
ease, as it promotes the perspiration without greatly heating the pa- 
tient. It v.i'ii afiswtr this purpose better if a tea-spoonful of sat vola- 
tile oleosum, or spirits of hartshorn, be put into a cup of it twice a day. 
it wfll likewise be proper' to give at bedtime a tea-spoonful of the vola- 
tile tincture ofguafacum iu a large draught of warm wine-whey. This, 
will greatly promote perspiration through the night. 

As the most safe and efficacious method of discharging the gouty 
matter, i s by perspiration, this ought to be kept up by all means, espe- 
cially in the affected part. For this purpose the leg and foot should 
be v. rapt in soft flannel, fur, or wool. The last is most readily ob- 
tained, and seems to answer the purpose belter than any thing else. 
The people of Lancashire look upon wool as a kind of specific in the 
gout. They wrap a great quantity of it about the leg and foot af- 
fected, and co\er it with a skin of soft dressed leather. This they 
feuffer to continue for eight or ten days, and sometimes for a fortnight 
or three weeks, or longer, if the pain does not cease. I never knew 
ady external application answer so well in the gout. I have often seen 
5 applied when the swelling and inflammation were very great, with 
violent pain, and have found ail these symptoms relieved by it in a 
few days. The wool which they use is generally greased, and card- 
ed or combed. They choose the softest which can be had, and sel- 
dom <-r never remove it till the fit be entirely gone off. 

The patient ought likewise to be kept quiet and easy during the fit. 
Every thing thai affects the mtud disturbs the paroxysm, and tends to 



OF THE GOUT, 26.5s 

ifyvow the gout upon the nobler parts. All external applications that 
repel the matter are to be avoided as death. They do not cure the 
disease, but remove it from a safer to a more dangerous part of the 
body, wberp it often proves fatal. A. fit of the gout is to be considered 
as Nature's method of removing something that might prove destruc- 
tive to the body, and all that we can do, with safety, is to promote her 
intentions, and to assist her in expelling the enemy in her own way. 
Evacuations by bleeding, stool, &c. are likewise to be used with cau- 
tion, they do not remove the cause of the disease, and sometimes by 
weakening the patient, prolong the fit; but where the constitution is 
sble to bear it, it will be of use to keep the body gently open by diet, 
or very mild laxative medicines. 

Many things will indeed shorten a fit of the gout, and some will 
<jrive it off altogether ; biit nothing has yet been found which will do 
this with safety to the patient. In pain we eagerly grasp at any thing 
that promises immediate ease, and even hazard life itself for a tempo- 
rary relief. This is the true reason why so many infallible remedies 
have been proposed for the gout, and why sifch numbers have lost 
their lives by the use of them. It would be as prudent to stop the 
small- pox from rising, and to drive them into the blood, as to attempt 
to repel the gouty matter after it has been thrown upon the extremities. 
The latter is as much an effort of nature to free herself from an offend- 
ing cause as the former, and ought equally to be promoted. 

When the pain however is very great, and the patient is restless 
thirty or forty drops of laudanum, more or less, according to the vio- 
lence of the symptoms, may be taken at bed time. This will ease the 
pain, procure rest, promote perspiration, and forward the crisis of the 
disease. 

After the fit is over, the patient ought to take a gentle dcse or two 
of the bitter tincture of rhubarb, or some other worm stomachic purge, 
lie should also drink a weak infusion of stomachic bitters in small wine 
or ale, as the Peruvian bark, with cinnamon, Virginia snake-root, 
and orange-peel. The diet at this time should be light but nourish- 
ing, and gentle exercise ought to be taken on horseback or in a car- 
riage. 

Out of the fit, it is in the patient's power to do many things towards 
preventing a return of the disorder, or rendering the fit. if it should 
return, less severe. This, however, is not to be attempted by med- 
icine. 1 have frequently known the gout kept off for several years 
by the Peruvian bark and other astringent medicines ; but in all the 
cases where I had occasion to see this tried the persons died sudden- 
ly, and, to all appearance, for want of a regular fit of the gout. 
One would be apt, from hence, to conclude, tli^t a fit of the goat to 
pome constitutions, in the decline of life, is rather salutarv than hurt- 
ful. 

84 



266 OF THE GOVT. 

Though it mzij be dangerous to stop a fit of (he gout by medicine,, 
yet it' the constitution can be so changed by diet and exercise, as to 
lessen or totally to prevent its return, there certainly can be no dan- 
ger in following such a course. It is well known that the whole habit 
may be so altered by a proper regimen, as quite to eradicate this dis- 
ease ; and those only who have sufficient resolution to persist in such 
a course have reason to expect a cure. 

The course which we would recommend for preventing the gout, 
is a« follows : In the first place, universal temperance. In the next 
place svjfficunt exercise.* By this we do not mean sauntering about 
in an indolent manner, but labour, sweat and toil. These only can 
render the humours wholesome, and keep them so. Goiog early to 
bed, and rising betimes, are also of great importance. It is likewise 
proper to avoid night studies, and all intense thought. The supper 
should be light, and taken early. All strong liquors, especially gener- 
ous wines and sour punch, are to be avoided. 

We would likewise recommend some doses of magnesia alba, and 
rhubarb to be taken every spring and autumn ; and afterwards a course 
of stomachic bitters, as tansy or water- trefoil tea, an infusion of gentian 
and camomile flowers, or a decoction of burdock root, &c. Any of 
these, or an infusiou of any wholesome bitter that is more agreeable to 
the patient, may be drank for two or three weeks in March and Octo- 
ber, twice a-day. An issue or perpetual blister has a great tendency 
to prevent the gout. If these were more generally used in the decline 
of life, they would not only often prevent the gout, but also other chron» 
ic maladies. Such as can afford to go to Bath, will find great benefit 
from bathing and drinking the water. It both promotes digestion and 
invigorates the habit. 

Though there is little room for medicine during a regular fit of the 
gout, yet when it leaves the extremities, and falls on some of the inter- 
nal parts, proper applications to r^cal and fix it, become absolutely ne- 
cessary. Wheu the gout affects the head, the pain of the joints ceases 
and the swelling disappears, while either severe head-ache, drowsi- 
ness, trembling, giddiness, convulsions, or delirium come on. Whe n 
it seizes the lungs, great oppression, with cough and difficulty of breath- 
ing, ensue. If it attacks the stomach, extreme sickness, vomiting, anx- 
iety, pain in the epigrastric region, and total loss of strength will suc- 
ceed. 

When the gout attacks the head or lungs, every method must be 
taken to fix it in the feet. They must be frequently bathed in warm 
water, and acrid cataplasms applied to the soles. Blistering plasters 

* Some make a secret of curing the »out by muscular i-xkrcisk. 
This secret however, is as old as Celsu?, who strongly recommends 
that mode of cure; and whoever will submit to it, in the fullest extent, 
njay expect to reap solid and permanent advantage. 



OF THE RHEUMATISM. 2 OH 

ought likewise to be applied to the ancles or calves of the legs. Bleed- 
ing in the feet or aacles is also necessary, and warm stomachic purges. 
The patient ought to keep in bed for the most part, if there be any 
signs of inflammation, and should be very careful not to catch cold. 

If it attacks the stomach with a sense of cold, the most warm cordi- 
als are necessary ; as strong wine boiled up with cinnamon or other 
spices; cinnamon- water ; peppermint- water ; and even brandy or rum.* 
The patient should keep his bed, and endeavour to promote a sweat, 
by drinking warm liquors ; and if he should be troubled with a nausea, 
or inclination to vomit, he may drink camomile-tea, or any thing that 
will make him vomit freely. 

When the gout attacks the kidneys, and imitates gravel-pains, the 
patient ought to drink freely of a decoction of marsh-mallows, and to 
have the parts fomented with warm water. An emo'.lieat clyster ought 
likewise to be given, and afterwards an opiate. If the pain be very 
violent, twenty or thirty drops of laudanum may be taken in a cup of 
the decoction. 

Persons who have had the gout should be very attentive to any 
complaints that may happen to them about the time when they have 
reason to expect a return of the fit. The gout imitates many other 
disorders, and by being mistaken for them, and treated 'improperly, 
is ofien diverted from its regular course, to the great danger of the pa- 
tient's life. 

Those who never had the gout, but who* from their constitution or 
manner of living, have reason to expect it, ought likewise to be very 
circumspect with regard to its first approach. If the disease, by wrong 
conduct or improper medicines, be diverted from its regular course, 
the miserable patient has a chance to be ever after tormented with 
head-aches, coughs, pains of the stomach and intestines ; and to fall at 
last a victim to its attack upon some of the more aoble parts.-)- 

OF THE RHEUMATISM. 

THIS disease has often a resemblance to the gout. It generally at- 
tacks the joints with exquisite pain, and is sometimes attended with in- 
flammation and swelling. It is most common in the spring, and towards 
the end of autumn. It is usually distinguished into acute and chron- 
ic ; or the rheumatism with or without a fever. 

# jEther is found to be an efficacious remedy in this case. 

f A late French writer (i\I. Cadet de Vaux) of some celebrity, for 
the cure of this disease prescribes forty- eight glasses of warm water in 
twelve hours, a glass every quarter, abstaining from every thing 
else during the time. This practice is already generally adopted id 
France. — a. e, 



263 OF THE RHEUMATISM. 

CAUSES. — The causes of a rheumatism are frequently the same 
as those of aD inflammator) fever, viz. ao obstructed perspiration, the 
immoderate use of strong liquors, and the like. Sudden changes of the 
•weather, and all quick transitions from heat to cold, are very apt to 
'occasion the rheumatism. The most extraordinary case of a rheuma- 
tism that I ever saw. where almost every joint of the body was distor- 
ted, was a man who used to work one part of ihe day by fire, and the 
other part of it in water. Very obstinate rheumatisms have likewise 
been brought on by persons not accustomed to it, allowing their feet to 
continue long we;. The same effectsare often produced by wet clothes, 
damp beds, sitting or lying on the damp ground, travelling in the 
irigjh! . 

The rheumatism may likewise be occasioned by excessive evacua- 
tions or the stoppage of customary discharges. It is often the effect 
of chronic 'licenses, which vitiate the humours ; as the scurvy, the lues 
venerea, obstinate autumnal agues, &c. 

The rheumatism prevails in co'ul, damp, marshy countries. It is 
most common among the poorer ssrt of peasants, who are ill clothed, 
live in low damp houses, and eat comse and unwholesome food, which 
contains but little nourishment, and is not easily digested. 

SYMPTOMS — The acute rheumatism commonly begins with wea- 
riness, shivering, a quick pulse, restlessness, thirst, and other symp- 
toms of fever. Afterwards the patient complains of flying pains, which 
are increased by the least motion. These at length fix in the joints, 
-which are often affected with swelling and inflammation. If blood be 
let in this disease, it has generally the same appearance as in the 
pleurisy. 

In this kiud of rheumatism the treatment of the pa'tienl is nearly ihe 
same as in an acute or inflammatory fever. If he be young and 
strong, bleeding is necessary, which may be repeated accordirg to the 
exigencies of the case. The body ought likewise to be kept open by 
emollient clysters, or cool opening liquors ; as decoctions of tamarinds, 
cream of tartar, whey, senna tea, and the like. The diet should be 
light, and in small quantity, consisting chiefly of roasted apples, groat- 
gruel, or weak chicken broth. After the feverish symptoms have aba- 
ted, if the pain still continues, the patient must keep his bed, and take 
such things as promote perspiration, as wine whey, with spiriius Min- 
dereri, &c He may likewise take, for a few nights, at bed-time, in a 
cup of wine-whey, a drachm of the cream of tartar, and half a drachm 
of gum guaiacum in porder. 

Warm bathing, after proper evacuations, has often an exceeding 
good effect. The patient may either be put into a bath of warm water 
or have cloths wrung out of it applied to the parts affected. Great 
care must be taken that he do not catch cold after bathing. 

The chronic rheumatism is seldom attended with any considerable 
•"J-'gtej of fever, and is generally confined to some particular part of 



OF THE RHEUMATISM. 269 

me body, as the shoulders, the back, or the loins. There is seldom 
any inflammation or swelling in this case. Persons iu the decline of 
life are most subject to the chronic rheumatism. In such patients it 
often proves extremely obstinate and sometimes incurable. 

In this kind of rheumatism the regimen should be nearly the same 
as in the acute. Cool and diluting diet, consisting chiefly of vegeta- 
ble substances, as stewed prunes, coddled apples, currents or goose- 
berries boiled in milk, is most proper. Arbuthnot says, "If there be 
a specific in aliment for the rheumatism, it is certainly whey ;' v and 
adds, that he " knew a person subject to this disease, who could never 
be cured by any other method but a diet of whey and bread." He 
likewise says, that "cream of tartar in water-gruel, taken for several 
days, will ease the rheumatic pains considerably." This I have often 
experienced, but found it always more efficacious when joined with 
gum guaiacum, as already directed. In this case the patient may- 
take the dose formerly mentioned, twice a day, and likewise a tea- 
spoonful of the volatile tincture of gam guaiacum, at bed time in wine- 
whey. 

This course may be continued for a week, or longer, if the case 
proves obstinate, and the patient's strength will permit. It ought then 
to be omitted for a few days, and repeated again. At the same time 
leeches, or a blistering plaster may be applied to the part affected. 
What I have generally found answer better than either Of these, in ob- 
stinate fixed rheumatic pains, is the wartii plaster. I have likewise 
known a plaster of Burgundy pitch worn for some time on the part af- 
fected, give great relief in rheumatic pains. My ingenious friend, Dr. 
Alexander, of Edinburgh, says, he has frequently cured very obstinate 
rheumatic pains, by rubbing the part affected, with tincture of cantha- 
rides. When the common tincture did not succeed, he used it of a 
double or treble strength. Copping upon the part affected, is likewise 
often very beneficial* and so is the application of leeches. 

Though this disease may not seem to yield to medicines for some 
time, yet they ought still to be persisted in. Persons who are subject 
to frequent returns of the rheumatism, will often find their account iu 
using medicines, whether they be immediately affected with the dis- 
ease or not. The chronic rheumatism is similar to the gout in this 
respect, that the most proper time for using medicines to extirpate i% 
is when the patient is most free from the disorder. 

To those who can afford the expense, I would recommend the warm 
baths of Buxton or Matlock in Derbyshire. These have, often, to my 
knowledge, cured very obstinate rheumatisms, and are always safe 
either in or out of the fit When the rheumatism is complicated with 
scorbutic complaints, which is not seldom the case, the Harrowgate wa- 
ters, and those of Moffat, are proper. They should both be drank and 
ted as a warm bath. 



m OF THE SCURVY. 

There arc several of our own domestic plauts which may be used 
with advantage in the rheumatism. One of the best is the white mus- 
tard. A table-spoonful of the seed of this plant may be taken twice or 
Ihrice a-day, in a glass of water or small wine. The water-trefoil is 
likewise of great use in this complaint. It may be iufused in wine or 
ale, or drank in form of tea. The ground iv) , camomile, and several 
other bitters, are also beneficial, and may be used in the same manner. 
Ko benefit however is to be expected from these unless they be takeu 
for a considerable time. Excellent medicines are often despised in 
this disease, because they do not perform au immediate cure; whereas 
nothing would be more certain than their effect, Mere they duly per- 
sisted in. Want of perseverance in the use of medicines, is one reason 
why chronic diseases are so seldom cured. 

Cold bathing, especially in salt-water, often cures the rheumatism. 
We would also recommend riding ou horseback, and wearing flannel 
next the skin. Issues are likewise very proper, especially in chronic 
rases. If the pain affects the shoulders, an Issue ma) be made in the 
ami ; but if it affects the loins, it should be put into the leg or thigh. 

Persons afflicted with the scurvy are very subject to rheumatic com- 
plaints. The best medicines in litis case are bitters and mild purga- 
tives. These may either be taken separately or together, as the pa- 
tient inclines. An ounce of Peruvian bark, and half an ounce of rhu- 
barb in powder, may be iufused in a bottle of wine; and one, two or 
three wineglasses of it taken daily, as shall be found necessary for 
keeping the body gently open. In cases where the bail; itself proves 
sufficiently purgative, the rhubarb may be omitted. 

Such as are subject to frequent a: tacks of the rheumatism, ought to 
iwtke choice of a dry, warm situation, to avoid the night air, wet 
clothes, and wet feet, as much as poisible. Their clothing should be, 
"Warm, and they should wear flannel next their skiu, and make frequent 
use of the flesh brush. 



CHAPTER XL. 

OF THE SCURFY. 

tt^lLlS disease prevails chiefly in cold northern countries, especially 
X iu low damp situations, near large marshes, or great quantities of 
stagnating water. Sedentary people, of a dull melancholy disposition, 
are most subject to it. It proves often fatal to sailors on long voya- 
ges, particularly in ships that are not properly ventilated, have maoy 
pepple on board i or where cleanliness is neglected. 



OF THE SCURFY. 27J 

it is not necessary to mention the different species into which tins 
disease has been divided, as they differ from oae another chiefly in 
degree. What is called the land scurvy, however, is seldom attended 
with those highly putrid symptoms which appear in patients who have 
been long at sea, and which, we presume, are rather owing to confined 
air, want of exercise, and the unwholesome food eaten by sailors ou 
long voyages, than to any specific difference in the disease. 

CAUSES. — The scurvy is occasioned by cold moist air; by the 
long use of salted or smoke dried provisions, or any kind of food that 
is hard of digestion, and affords little nourishment. It may also pro- 
ceed from the suppression of customary evacuations; as the memes, 
hemorrhoidal flax, &c. It is sometimes owing to an hereditary taint, 
in which case a very small cause will excite the latent disorder. Grief, 
fear, and other depressing passions, have a great tendency both to ex- 
cite and aggravate this disease. The same observation holds with re- 
gard to neglect of cleanliness; bad clothing; the want of proper ex- 
ercise; confined air; unwholesome food ; or any disease which greatly 
weakens the body, or vitiates the humours. 

SYMPTOMS. — This disease may be known by unusual weariness, 
heaviness, and difficulty of breathing, especially after motion ; rotten- 
ness of the gums, which are apt to bleed on the slightest touch ; a stink- 
ing breath ; frequent bleeding at the nose ; crackling of the joints; dif- 
ficulty of walking ; sometimes a swelling and sometimes a falling away 
of the legs, on which there are livid, yellow, or violet coloured spots ; 
the face is generally of a pale or leaden colour. As the disease ad- 
vances, other symptoms come on ; as rottenness of the teeth, haemorr- 
hages or discharges of blood from different parts of the body, foul ob- 
stinate ulcers, pains in various parts, especially about the breast, dry 
scaly eruptions all over the body, &c. At last a wasting or hectic fe- 
ver comes on, and the miserable patient is often carried off by a dys- 
entery, a diarrhoea, a dropsy, the palsy, fainting fits, or a mortification 
of some of the boirels. 

CURE. — We know no way ot curing this disease but by pursuing a 
plan directly opposite to that which brings it on. It proceeds from a 
vitiated state of the humours, occasioned by errors in diet, air, or ex- 
ercise ; and this cannot be removed but by a proper attention to these 
important articles, 

If the patient has been obliged to breathe a cold, damp, or confined 
air, he should be removed, as soon as possible to a dry, open, and 
moderately warm one If there is reason to believe that the disease 
proceeds from a sedentary life, or depressing passions, as grief, fear, 
Sec. the patient must take daily as much exercise in the open air as he 
can bear, and his mind should be diverted by cheerful company and 
other amusements. Nothing has a greater tendency either to prevent 
or remove this disease, than constant cheerfulness and good humour, 



£73 OF THE SCURF1. 

But this, alas ! is seldom the lot of persons afflicted with the scurvy l 
they are generally surly, peevish and morose. 

When the scurvy has beeu brought on by a long use of salted pro- 
visions, the proper medicine is a diet consisting chiefly of fresh vegeta- 
bles ; as oranges, apples, lemons, limes, tamarinds, water-cresses, scur- 
vy-grass, brook lime, &c. The use of these, with milk, pot-herbs, new 
bread, and fresh beer or cyder, will seldom faii to remove a scurvy of 
this kind, if taken before it be too far advanced, but to have this ef- 
fect they must be persisted iu a considerable time. When fresh vege- 
tables cannot be obtained, pickled or preserved ones may be used; and 
■where these are wanting, recourse must be had to the chymical acids. 
All the patient's food and drink should iu this case be sharpened with 
cream of tartar, elixir of vitriol, vinegar, or the spirit of sea-salt. 

The?? Jhiugs however will more certainly prevent than cure the 
scurvy, for which reason sea-faring people, especially on long voya- 
£Ts, ought to lay iu plenty of ihem. Cabbages, onions, gooseberries, 
and many other vegetables, may be kept a long time by pickling, pre- 
serving, &c, and wheu these fail, the chymical acids, recommended 
above, which will keep for auy length of time, may be used. We have 
reason to believe, if ships were well ventilated, had got store of fruits, 
greens, cyder, &c. laid in, and if proper regard were paid to cleanli- 
ness and warmth, that sailors would be the most healthy people in the 
■world, and would seldom suffer either from the scurvy or putrid fe- 
vers, which are so fatal to that useful set of men ; but it is too much 
the temper of such people to despise all precaution ; they will not think 
of any calamity till it overtakes them, when it is too late to ward off 
the blow. 

It roust indeed be owned, that many of them have it not in their pow- 
er to make the provision we are speaking of; but in this case it is the 
duty oi their employer to make it for them; and no man ought to en- 
gage in a long voyage widiout having these articles secured. 

I have often seen very extraordinary effects in the land scurvy from 
t\ milk diet. This preparation of nature is a mixture of animal and 
vegetable p-opertier,, which of all others is the most fit for restoring a 
decayed constitution, and removing that particular acrimony of the hu- 
mours, which seems to constitute the very essence of the scurvy, and 
rrianv other diseases. But people despise this wholesome and nour- 
ishing food, because it is cheap, and devour with greediness, flesh and 
fermented liquors, while milk is only deemed fit for the hogs. 

The most proper drink iu the scurvy, is whey or butter-milk. 
When these cannot be had, sound cyder, perry, or spruce-beer, may 
be used. Wort has likewise been found to be a proper drink in the 
scurvy, and may be used at sea, as malt will keep during the longest 
voyage. A decoction of the tops of the spruce fir is likewise proper. 
Jt may be drank in the quantity of an English pint twice a day. Tar- 
water may be used for the same purpose, or decoGtions of any of the 



OF THE SCURVY. 273 

tfnijd mucilaginous vegetables : as sarsaparilla, marsh-mallow roots, 
<&c. Infusions of the bitter plants, as ground ivy, the lesser centaury 
inarsh-trefoil, &c. are likewise beneficial. I have, seen peasants in 
some parts of Britain express the juice of the last mentioned plant, 
and drink it with good effect in those foul scorbutic eruptions, with 
which they are often troubled in the spring season. 

Harrowgate water is certainly an excellent medicine in the land scur- 
vy. I have often seen patients who had been reduced to the most de- 
plorable condition by this disease, greatly relieved by drinking the sul- 
phur water, and bathing in it. The chalybeate-water may also be 
used with advantage, especially with a view to brace the stomach af- 
ter drinking the sulphur- water, which though it sharpens the appetite, 
be vef" fails to weaken the powers of digestion 

A slight degree of scurvy may be carried off by frequently sucking 
a little of the juice of a bitter orange or lemon. When the disease 
affects the gums only, this practice, if continued for some time, will 
generally carry it off. We would however recommend the bitter or- 
ange as greatly preferable to lemon, it seems to be as good a medicine, 
and is not near so hurtful to' the stomach. Perhaps our own sorrel 
may be little inferior to either of thenj. 

All kinds of salad are good in the scurvy, and ought to be eaten 
very plentifully, as spinoage, lettuce, parsley, celery, endive, radish, 
dandelion, &c. It is amazing to see how soon fresh vegetables in the 
spring, cure the brute animals of any scab or foulness which is upon 
their skins. It is reasonable to suppose that their effects would be as 
great upon the human species, were they used in proper quantities 
lor a sufficient length of time. 

' I have seen good effects in scorbutic complaints of very longstand- 
ing, from the use of a decoction of the roots of water dock. It is 
usually made by boiijiDg a pound of the fresh root in six English pints 
of water, till about one third of it be consumed. The dose is from 
'half a pint to a whole pint of the decoction every day. But in all the 
cases where I have seen it prove beneficial, it was made much strong- 
er, and drank in larger quantities. The safest way, however, is for 
the patient to begin With small doses, and increase them both 
in. strength and quantity as he finds his stomach will bear it. It must 
foe used for a considerable time. I have known some take it for ma- 
ny months, and have been told of others who had used it for several 
years, before' they were sensible of any benefit, but who nevertheless 
were cured by it at length. 

The leprosy, which was so common in the country long ago, seems 
to have been near a-kin to the scurvy. Perhaps its appearing so sel- 
dom now, may be owing to the inhabitants of Britain eating more ve- 
getable food than formerly, living more upon tea and other diluting di- 
et, using less salted meat, being more cleanly, better lodged and clotft- 
■■'•<■ ' : ii - ' 3^ - , 



274 OF THE SCROPHULA, 

ed, &c. For the cure of this disease we would recommend the 
course of diet and medicine as iu the scurvy. 

OF THE SCROPHULA, OR KING'S EFJL. 

THIS disease chiefly aftects the glands, especially those of the 
neck. Children and young persons of a sedentary life are very sub 
ject to it, II is one of those diseases which may be removed by prop- 
er regimen, but seldom yields to medicine. The inhabitants of cold, 
damp, marshy countries, are most liable to the scrophnla. 

CASES. — This disease may proceed from an hereditary taint, 
from a scrophulous nurse &c. Children who have the misfortune to 
be bora of sickly parents, whose constitutions have been greatly inju- 
red by the pox, or other chrouic diseases, are apt to be afFected with 
the scrophula. It may likewise proceed Irom such diseases as weak- 
eu the habit or vitiate the humours^ as (he small pox, measles, &c. 
External injuries, as blows, bruises, and the -ike, sometimes produce 
scrophulous ulcers; but we have reason to believe, when this happens, 
that there has been a predisposition in the habit to this disease. Iu 
short., whatever tends to vitiate the humours or relax the solids, paves 
the way to the scrophula ; as the want of proper exercise, too much 
heat or cold, confined air, unwholesome food, bad water, the long use 
of poor, weak, watery aliments, the neglect of cleanliness, &c. Noth- 
ing tends more to produce this disease in children, than allowing them 
to continue loag wet. 

SYMPTOMS.-— At first small knots appear under the chin, or, be- 
hind the ears, which gradually increase iu number and size, till they 
form one large hard tumour. This often continues for a long time with- 
out breaking, and when it does break, it only discharges a thin sanies, 
or watery humour. Other parts of the body are likewise liable to its 
attack, as the arm pits, groins, feet, hands, eyes, breasts, Arc. JVor are 
the internal parts exempt from it. It often affects the lunsrs, liver, or 
spleen; and 1 have frequently seen the glands of the rnysentery greatly 
enlarged by it. 

Those obstinate ulcers which break out upon the feet and hand? with 
swelling, and little or uo redness, are of the scrophulous kind. They 
seldom discharge good matter, and are exceedingly difficult to cure. 
The white swellings of the joints seem likewise to be of this kind. They 
are with difficulty brought to^a suppuration, and when opened, they 
only discharge a thin ichor. There is not a more general symptom 
of the scrophula than a swelling of the upper lip and nose. 

REGIMEJN". — As this disease proceeds, in a great measure, from 



# The scrophula, as well as the rickets, is found to prevail iu large 
manufacturing towns, where people live gross ; and lead sedentary lives. 



OR KING'S EVIL. 2-75 

%me time light and easy of digestion : as well fermented bread, marie 
<of sound grain, the flesh and broth of young animals, with now and 
then a glass of generous wine, or good ale The air ought to be open, 
dry and not too coid, and the patient should take as much exercise as 
he can bear. This is of the utmost importance. Children who have 
sufficient exercise, are seldom troubled with the scrophula. 

MEDICINE. — The vulgar are remarkably credulous with re- 
gard to the cure of the scrophula ; many of them believing in the vir- 
tue of the royal touch, that of the seventh son, &c The truth is, we 
know but little either of the nature and cure of this disease, and where 
reason or medicines fail, superstition aiways comes in their place. 
Hence it is, that in diseases which are most difficult to understand, we 
generally hear of the greatest number of miraculous cures being per- 
formed. Here, however, the deception is easily accounted for. The 
scrophula, at a certain period of life, often cures of itself; and if the 
patient happens to be touched about this time, the cure is imputed to 
the touch, and not to nature, who is really the physician. In the 
same way the insignificant nostrums of quacks and old women, often 
gain applause when they deserve none. 

There is nothing more pernicious than the custom of plying children 
in the scrophula with strong purgative medicines. People imagine it 
proceeds from humours which must be purged off, without considering 
that these purgatives increase the debility, and aggravate the disease. 
It has indeed been found, that keeping the body gently open for some 
time, especially with sea- water, has a good effect ; but this should only 
be given in gross habits, and in such quantity as to procure one, or at 
most two stools every day. 

Bathing in the salt-water has likewise a very good effect, especially 
in the warm season. I have often known a course of bathing in salt- 
water, and drinking it in such quantities as to keep the body gently 
open, cure a scrophula, after many other medieines had been tried in 
vain. When salt water cannot be obtained, the patient may be bathed 
in fresh water, and his body kept open by small quantities of salt and 
water, or some other mild purgative. 

Next to cold bathing, and drinking the salt water,, we would recom- 
mend the Peruvian bark. The cold bath may be used in summer and 
the bark iu winter. To an adult half a drachm of the bark in powder 
may be given in a glass of red wine, four or five times a-day. Chil- 
dren, and such as cannot take it in substance, may use the decoction, 
made in the following manner : 

Boil an ounce of the Peruvian bark, and a drachm of Winter's bark, 
both grossly powdered, in an English quart of water to a pint : towards 
the end, half an ounce of sliced liquorice-root, and a handful of raisins 
may be added, which will both render the decoction less disagreeable^ 
sod make it take up more of the bark. The liquor must be strained^ 



2?5 OF THE ITCH. 

and two, three, or four table-spoonsful, according to the age of the j$& 
tieot, given three times a-di). 

The Moffat and Harrowgate waters, especially the latter, are like- 
wise very proper medicines in the scrophula. They ought not, how- 
eve: to be drank in large quantities, but should be taken so as to keep 
t!; n body gently open, and must be used for a considerable time. 

The hemlock may sometimes be used with advantage in the scrophula. 
Son lay it down as a geuerai rule, that the sea-water is most proper 
before there are any suppuration or symptoms of tabes ; the Peruvian 
bark, when there are running sores, and a degree of hectic fever; and 
the hemlock in old i-jveierate cases, approaching to the scirrhus or 
cancerous State. Either the extract, or the fresh juice of this plant 
may be used. The dose must us small at first and increased gradual- 
ly as far as the stomach i^ able to bear it. 

External a [)p!:caiious are of little use. before the tumour breaks 
nothing ought to be applied to it, unless a piece of flannel, or something 
to keep it warm. Alter it breaks, the sore may be dressed with some 
digestive ointment. What I have always found to answer best, was 
the yellow basilicon mixed with about a sixth or eighth part of its 
weight of red precipitate of mercury. The sore may be dressed with 
this twice a day ; and if it be very fuDgous, and does not digest well, 
a large proportion of the precipitate may be added. 

Medicines which mitigate this disease, though they do not cure it, 
«re not to be despised. If the patient can be kept alive by any means 
till he arrives at the age of puberty, he has a great chance to get well; 
but if he does not recover at this time, in all probability he never will. 
There is no malady which parents are so apt to communicate to their 
offspring as the scrophufa, for which reason people ought to beware 
of marrying into families affected with this disease. 

For the means of preventing the scrophula we must refer the reader 
to the observations on nursing at the beginuiug of the book. 

OF THE ITCH. 

THOUGH this disease is commonly communicated by infection, yet 
it seldom prevails where due regard is paid to cleanliness, fresh air and 
wholesome diet. It generally appears in form of small watery pus- 
tules, first about the wrists or between the fingers; afterwards it affects 
the arms, legs, thighs, &c. These pustules are attended with an intol- 
erable itching, especially wheu the patient is warm in bed, or sits by 
the fire. Sometimes indeed the skin is covered with large blotches or 
scabs, and at other times with a white scurf, or scaly eruption. This 
last is called the dry itch, and is the most difficult to cure. 

The itch is seldom a dangerous disease, unless when it is rendered 
so by neglect or improper treatment. If it be suffered to continue too 
long, it may vitiate the whole mass of humours ; and if it be suddeoly 



: ©F THE ITCH. m 

drove in, without proper evacuations, it may occasion fevers, inflam- 
mations of the viscera, or other internal disoriffers. 

The best medicine yet known for the itch is sulphur, which might 
to be used both externally and internally. The parts most affected 
may be rubbed with an ointment made of the fictt'r of sulphur, two 
ounces; crude sal ammonia finely powdered, two drachms; hog's 
lard, or butter, four ounces. If a scruple or half a drachm of the es- 
sence of lemon be added, it will entirely take away the disagreeable 
smell. About the. bulk of a nutmeg of this 'may 'be 'rubbed upon the 
extremities at bed-time twice Or thrice & week. It- is seldom necessa- 
£o rub the whole body;, but when it is, it ought not to be done all at 
once, but by tutus, as it is dangerous to stop too many pores at the 
same time. 

Before the patient begins to use the ointment, lie ought, if he be of a 
full habit, to bleed or take a purge or two. It will likewise be proper, 
during the use of it, to take every night and morning, as much of the 
■flour of brimstone and cream of tartar,_in a little treacle or new milk, 
as will keep the body gently open. He should beware of catching 
cold, should wear more clothes than usual, and take every thing warm. 
The same clothes, the linen excepted, ought to be worn all the time of 
using the ointment; and such clothes as have been worn while the pa- 
tient was under the disease, are not to be used again, unless they have 
been fumigated with brimstone, and thoroughly cleansed, otherwise 
they will communicate the infection anew.* 

I never knew brimstone, when used as directed above, fail to cure the 
itch; and I have reason to believe, that if duly persisted in, it never 
will fail, but if it be only used once or twice, and cleanliness neglected, 
'it is no wonder if the disorder returns. The quantity of ointment men- 
tioned above will generally be sufficient for the cure of one person ; but 
if any symptoms of (he disease should appear again, the medicine must 
foe repeated. Tt is both more safe and efficacious when persisted in 
for a considerable time than when a large quantity is applied at once. 
As most people dislike the smell of sulphur, they may use in its place 
the powder of white hellebore root made up into an ointment, in the 
same manner, which will seldom fail to cure the itch. 

People ought to be extremely cautious lest they take other eruptions 
for the itch ; as the stoppage of these may be attended with fatal conse- 
quences. Many of the eruptive disorders to which children are liable, 
have a near resemblance to this disease ; and I have often known in- 

* Sir John Priugle observes, that though this disease may seem tri- 
fling, there is no one in the army that is more troublesome to cure, as 
the infection often lurks in clothes, &c. and breaks out a second, or 
r evea a third time. The same inconveniency occurs in private fami- 
lies, unless particular regard is paid to the changing or cleaning, of 
their clothes, which last is by no means an easy operation. 



.•73 OF THE ASTHMA. 

f'ants killed by being rubbed with greasy ointments that make these 
eruptions strike suddenly" in, Which nature had thrown out to preserve 
the patient's life, or prevent pome other malady. 

Much mischief is likewise done by the use of mercury in this disease. 
Some persons are so fool hardy as lo wash the parts affected with •<*. 
strong solution of the corrosive sublimate. Others use the mercurial 
ointment, without taking the least care either to avoid cold, keep the 
body open, or observe a proper regimen. The consequences of such 
conduct may be easily guessed, i have known even the mercurial 
girdles produce bad effects, and would advise every person, as he val- 
ues his health, to beware how he uses them. Mercury ought never to 
be used as a medicine without the greatest care. Ignorant people look 
upon these girdles as a kiud of charm, without considering that the. 
mercury enters the body. 

It is not to be told what mischief is done by using mercurial ointment 
for curing the itch ami killing vermin ; yet it is unnecessary for either ; 
t iic former may be always more certainly cured by sulphur, and the 
latter will never be found where due regard is paid to cleanliness. 

Those who would avoid this detestable disease ought to beware of 
infected persons, to use wholesome food, and to study universal clean* 
liness.* 



CHAPTER XLL 



OF THE ASTHMA. 

THE asthma is a disease of the lungs, which seldom admits of a 
cure. Persons in the decline of life . are most liable to it. It is 
distinguished into the moist and dry, or humoral and nervous. The 
former is attended with expectoration or spitting; but in the latter the 
patient seldom spits, unless sometimes a little tough phlegm by the 
mere force of coughing. 

* The itch is now by cleanliness banished from every genteel fami- 
ly in Britain. It still however prevails among the poorer sort of peas- 
ants in Scotland, and among the manufacturers in England. These are 
not only sufficient to keep the seeds of the disease aiive, but to spread the 
infection among others. It were to be wished that some effectual method 
could be devised for extirpating it altogether. Several country clergymen 
have told me, that by getting such as were infected cured, and strongly 
recommending an attention to cleanliness, they have banished the itch 
entirely out of their parishes. Why might net others do the same? 



OF THE ASTHMA. 21% 

CAUSES. — The asthma is sometimes hereditary. It may likewise 
proceed from a bad formation of the breast; the fumes of metals or 
minerals taken into the lungs; violeut exercise, esp ially running; 
the obstruction of customary evacuations, as the menses, haemorrhoids, 
&c. the sudden retrocession of the gout, or striking in of eruptions., aa 
the small-pox, measles, &c. violent passions of the mind, as sudden fear 
or surprise.. In a word, the disease may proceed from any cause that 
either impedes the circulation of the blood through the luDgs, or pre- 
vents their being duly expanded by the air. 

SYMPTOMS. — An asthma is known by a quick laborious breath- 
ing, which is generally performed with a kind of wheezing noise. Some- 
times the difficulty of breathing is so great, that the patient is obliged 
to keep in an erect posture, otherwise he is in danger of being suffoca- 
ted. A fit or paroxysm of the asthma generally happens after a person 
lias been exposed to cold easterly winds, or has been abroad in thick 
fog^y weather, or has got wet, or continued long in a damp place un- 
der ground, or has taken some food which the stomach could not di- 
gest, as pasteries, toasted cheese, or the like. 

The paroxysm is commonly ushered in with listlessness, want of sleep, 
hoarseness, a cough, belching of wind, a sense of heaviness about the 
breast, and difficulty of breathing. To these succeed heat, fever, pain 
of the head, sickness and nausea, great oppression of the breast, palpi- 
tation of the heart, a weak and sometimes intermitting pulse, an invol- 
untary flow of tears, billious vomitings, &c. All the symptoms grow 
worse towards night ; the patient is easier when up than in bed, and is 
very desirous of cool air. 

REGIMEN.— The food ought to .be light, and of easy diges- 
tion. Boiled meats are to be preferred to roasted, and the flesh of 
young animals to that of old. All windy food, and whatever is apt to 
swell in the stomach, is to be avoided. Light puddings, white broths, 
and ripe fruits baked, boiled, or roasted are proper. Strong liquors 
of all kinds, especially malt-liquor, are hurtful. The patient should 
eat a verv light supper, or rather none at all, and should never suffer 
himself to be long costive. His clothing should be warm, especially in 
the winter season. As all disorders of the breast are much relieved I 
by keeping the feet warm, and promoting the perspiration, a flannel 
shirt or waistcoat, and thick shoes, will be of singular service. 

But nothing is of so great importance ia the asthma, as pure and 
moderately warm air. Asthmatic people can seldom bear either the 
close heavy air of a large town, or the sharp, keen atmosphere of a 
bleak hilly country; a medium therefore, between these is to be cho- 
sen. The air near a large town is often better than at a distance, pro- 
vided the patient be removed so far as not to be affected by the smoke. 
Some asthmatic patients indeed, breathe easier in town than in the 
country ; but this is seldom the case, especially in towns where much 
#pal is burnt. Asthmatic persons who are obliged ta be in a towa all 



2*0 OF THE ASTHMA, 

day, ought at least to sleep out of it. Even this will often prove of 
great service. Those who can afford it oughc to travel into a warmer' 
climate. Maay asthmatic persons who cannot live in Britain, enjoy 
Very good health in the south of Frauce, Portugal, Spain, or Italy. 

Exercise is likewise of very great importance in the asthma, as it 
promotes the digestion, preparation of the blood, &c. The blood of 
asthmatic persons is seldom dwj prepared, owing to the proper action 
of the ; £ "g impeded. For this veasou such people ought daily 
to take as much exercise, either on foot, horseback, or in a carriage, 
as they can b jar. 

MEDICINE. — Almost all that can be done by medicine iu this dis- 
ease, is to relieve the patient when seized with a violent fit. This in- 
deed requires the greatest expedition, as the disease often provf s sud- 
denly fatal. In the parox> sm or fit, the body is generally bound ; a 
purgiug clyster, with a solution of asafottida, ought therefore to be ad- 
ministered, and if there be occasion, it may be repeated two or three 
times. The patient's feet and legs ought to be immersed in warm wa- 
ter, and afterwards rubbed with a warm hand 01 dry cloth- Bleeding 
unless extreme weakness' or old age should forbid it, is highly proper. 
If there be a violent spasm about the breast or stomach, warm fomen- 
tations, or bladders filled with warm milk and water, may be applied 
to the part affected ; and warm cataplasms to the soles of the feet. The 
patient must drink freely of diluting liquors, and may take a tea-spoon- 
ful of the tincture of castor and of saffron mixed together, in a cup of 
valerian tea, twice or thrice a-day. Sometimes a vomit has a very 
good effect, and snatches the patient, as it were, from the jaws' of death. 
This however will be more safe after other evacuations have been pre- 
mised. A very strong infusion of roasted coffee is said to give ease in 
asthmatic paroxysms. 

In the moist asthma, such things as promote expectoration or spit- 
ting, ought to be used; as the syrup of squills, gum ammoniac, and such 
like. A common spoonful of the syrup or oxymel of squills, mixed with 
an equal quantity of cinnamon water, may be taken three or four times 
through the day, and four or five pills made of equal parts of asafceti- 
. da and gum ammoniac, at bed time.* 

For the convulsive or nervous asthma, antispasmodics and bracers 
are the most proper medicines. The patient may take a tea- spoonful 
of the paregoric elixir twice a-day. ' The Peruvian bark is sometimes 

* After copious evacuations, large doses of aether have been found 
very efficacious in removing a fit of the asthma. I have likewise 
known the following mixture produce, very happy effects ; To four or 
five ounces of the solution of gum ammoniac, add two ounces of simple 
cinnamon-water, the same quantity of balsamic syrup, and half an 
ounce of paregoric elixir. Of this, two table-spoonsful may be takea 
every three hours. 



OJ THE APOPLEXY. 231 

found to be of use in this case. It may be taken in substance, or infu- 
sed in wine. la short, every thing that braces the nerves, or takes off 
spasm, niav be of use iu a nervous asthma. It is often relieved by the 
use of asses milk ; I have likewise known cow's milk drank warm in 
the morning, have a very good effect in this case. 

In every species of asthma, setons and issues have a good effect; 
they may either be set iu the back or side, and should never be allow- 
ed to dry up. We shall here, once for all, observe, that not only in the 
asthma, but in most chronic diseases, issues are extremely proper. They 
are both a safe and efficacious remedy; and though they do not always 
.sure the disease, yet they will often prolong the patient's life, 



CHAPTER XLIL 



OF THE APOPLEXY. 

THE apoplexy is a sudden loss of sense and motion, during which 
the patient is to all appearance dead ; the heart and lungs howev- 
er still continue to move. Though this disease proves often fatal, yet 
it may be sometimes removed by proper care. It chiefly attacks sed- 
entary persons of a gross habit, who use a rich and plentiful diet, and 
indulge in strong liquors. People in the decline of life are most subject 
to the apoplexy. It prevails most in winter, especially in rainy seas- 
ons, and very low states of the barometer. 

CAUSES. — The immediate cause of an apoplexy is a compression 
of the brain, occssioned by an excess of blood, or a collection of wa- 
tery humours. The former is called a sanguine, and the latter a se- 
rous apoplexy. It may be occasioned by any thiDg that increases the 
circulation towards the brain, or prevents the return of the blood from 
the head ; as intense study ; violent passions,! viewing objects for a 
long time obliquely ; wearing any thing too tight about the neck ; a 
rich and luxurious diet ; suppression of urine ; suffering the body to ccol 
suddenly after having been greatly heated ; continuing long iu a warm 

f I knew a woman, who in a violent fit of anger was seized with a 
sarjgiiine apoplexy. She at first complained of extreme pain, " as if 
daggers had been thrust through her head," as she expiessed it. Af- 
ter '.yards she became comatose, her pulse sunk very low, and was ex- 
ceeding slow. By bleeding, blistering and other evacuations, she was 
live for about a fortnight. When her head was opened, a large 
jtjuantity of extravasaled blood was found in the left ventricle of the 

36 



262 OF THE APOPLEXY. 

or cold bath ; the excessive use of spiceries, or high seasoned food ; 
excess of venery ; the sudden striking in of any eruption ; suffering 
issues, setons, &c suddenly to dry up, or the stoppage q[ any custo- 
mary evacuation ; a mercurial salivation pushed too far, or suddeuly 
checked by cold ; wounds or bruises on the head ; long exposure to 
excessive cold ; poisonous exhalations, <£c 

SYMPTOMS, and method of cure. — The usual forerunners of an 
apoplexy are giddines, pain and swimming of the head ; loss of memo- 
ry ; drowsiness, noise in the ear, the night mare, a spontaneous flux of 
tears, and laborious respiration. When persons of an apoplectic make 
observe these symptoms, they have reason to fear the approach of a 
fit. and should endeavour to prevent it by bleeding, a slender diet, 
sad opening medicines. 

In the sanguine apoplexy, if the patient does not die suddenly, the 
countenance appears florid, the face is swelled or puffed up, and the 
blood vessels., especially about the neck and tempk s, are turgid ; the 
breathing is difficult, and performed with a snorting noise. The ex- 
crements and urine are often voided spontaneously, and the patient is 
sometimes seized with vomiting. 

In this species of apoplexy every method must be taken to lessen the 
force of the circulation towards the head. The patient should be kept 
perfectly easy and cool. His head should be raised pretty high, and 
his feet suffered to hang down. His clothes ought to be loosened, es- 
pecially about the neck, and fresh air admitted into his chamber. His 
garters should be tied pretty tight, by which means the motion of the 
blood from the lower extremities will be retarded. As soon as the pa- 
tient is placed in a proper posture, he should be bled freely in the 
neck or arm, and if there be occasion the operation may be repeated in 
two or three hours. A laxative clyster, with plenty of street oil, or 
fresh butter, and a spoonful or two of common salt in it, may be admin- 
istered every two hours ; and blistering-plasters applied between the 
shoulders, and to the calves of the legs. 

As soon as the symptoms are a little abated, and (lie patient is able 
to swallow, he ought to drink freely of some diluting opening liquor, 
as a decoction of tamarinds and liquorice, cream tartar whey, or com- 
mon whey with cream of tartar dissolved in it. Or he may take any 
cooling purge, as Glauber's salts, manna dissolved in an infusion of sen- 
na, or the like. All spirits and other strong liquors are to be avoided. 
Eveu volatile salts held at the nose do mischief. Vomits, for the same 
reason, ought not to be given, or any thing that may increase the mo- 
tion of the blood towards the head. 

1 1 the serous apoplexy, the symptoms are nearly the same, only the 
pulse is not so strong, the countenance is less florid, and the breathing 
less difficult. Bleeding is not so necessary here as in the former case. 
It may, however, generally be performed once with safety and ad- 
yaptagc, hut should not be repeated. The patient should be placed in. 



OF COSTIFENESS, &a 5.U 

the same posture as directed above, and should have blistering plasters 
applied, and receive opening clysters ia the same manner. Purges 
here are likewise necessary, and the patient may drink strong balm- 
tsa If he be inclined to sweat, it ought to be promoted by driukiog 
small wine-whey, or an infusion of carduus beuedictus. A plentiful 
sweat kept up for some considerable time, has often carried off a se- 
rous apoplexy. 

When Apoplectic symptoms proceed from opium, or other narcotic 
substances taken into the stomach, vomits are necessary. The patient 
is generally relieved as soon as he has discharged the poison in this 
way. 

Persons of an apopleptic make, or those Avho have been, attacked by 
it, ought to use a very spare and slender diet, avoiding all strong li- 
quors, spiceries, and high-seasoned food. They ought likewise to guard 
against all violent passions, and to avoid the extremes of heat and cold. 
The head should be shaved, and daily washed with cold water. The 
feet ought to be kept warm, and never suffered to continue long wet. 
The body must be kept open either by food or medicine, and a little 
blood may be let every spring and fall Exercise should by no means 
be neglected ; but it ought to be taken in moderation. Nothing has a 
more happy effect in preventing an apoplexy than perpetual issues or 
setons; great care however, must be "taken, not to suffer them to dry 
up, without opening others in their stead. Apopleptic persons Aught 
never to go to rest with a full stomach, or to lie with their heads low., 
"m- to wear any thing too tight about their necks. 



CHAPTER XLIIL 



OF COSTIVENESS, AND OTHER AFFECTIONS OF THE 
STOMACH AND BOWELS*, 

WE do not here mean to treat of those astiictiqns of the bowels, 
which are the symptoms of disease, as of the cholic, the iliac 
passion, &c. but ouly to take notice of that infrequency of stools which 
sometimes happens, and which in some particular constitutions may oc- 
casion diseases. 

Costiveness may proceed from drinking rough led wines, or other 
astringent liquors ; too much exercise, especially on horseback. It 
may likewise proceed from a long use of cold insipid food, which does 
not sufficiently stimulate the intestines. Sometimes it is owing to the 
Mle not descending to the intestines, as in the jaundice; and at othfc- 
times it proceeds from diseases of the intestines themselves, as a palsy*, 
Spasms, torpor, tumours, a cold dry state of the intestines, &c„ 



234 OF C0ST1FEKESS, &c. 

Excessive costiveness is apt to occasion pains of the head, vomiting, 
colics, and other complaints of the bowels. It is peculiarly hurtful To 
hypochondriac and hysteric persons, as it generates wind and other 
grievous symptoms. Some people however, can bear costiveness to a 
great decree. I know persons who enjoy pretty good health, yet do not 
go to stool above once a week, and others not above ouce a fortnight. 
Indeed I have heard of some who do not go above once a month. 

Persons who are generally costive, should live upon a moistening and 
laxative diet, as roasted or boiled apples, pears, stewed prunes, raisins, 
gruels with currants, butter, honey, sugar, and such like. Broths 
with spiunage, leeks, and other soft pot" herbs, are likewise proper, 
Hye-bread. or that which is made of a mixture of wheat and rye to- 
gether, ought to be eaten. No person troubled with costiveness, 
should eat white bread alone, especially that which is made of fine 
flour. The best bread for keeping the body soluble, is what in some 
par;s of E igland they call nteslin. It is made of a mixture of wheat 
and rye, and is very agreeable to those who are accustomed to it. 

Costiveuess is increased by keeping the body too warm, and by ev^ 
<ery thing that promotes the perspiration; as wearing flannel, lyiog 
loo long a-bed, &c. Intense thought, and a sedentary life, are likewise 
hurtful. All the secretion aud excretions are promoted by moderate 
exercise without doors, and by a gay, cheerful, sprightly temper ojf 
inrad. 

The drink should be of an opening quality. All ardent spirits, 
austere aud astringent wines, as port, claret, Arc. ought to be avoided. 
lVTall liquor that is fine, and of a moderate strength, is very proper. 
Butter-milk, whey, aud other watery liquors, are likewise proper, 
and may be drank in turns, as the patient's inclination directs. 

Those who are troubled with costiveness, ought if possible to rem- 
edy it by diet, as the constant use of medicines for that purpose is at- 
tended with many inconveniences, and often with bad consequences.* 

* The learned Dr. Arbuthuot advises those who are troubled with 
costiveness to use animal oils, as fresh butter, cream, marrow, fat broths, 
especially those made of the internal parts of animals, as the liver, 
heart, midriff, &c. He likewise recommends the expressed oils of 
mild vegetables, as olives, almonds, pastaches, and the fruits them- 
selves; all oily and mild fruits, as figs; decoctions of mealy vegeta- 
bles ; these lubricate the intestines ; some sanonaceous substances which 
stimulate gently, as honey, hydromel, or boiled honey and water, un- 
refined sugar, &c. 

The doctor observes, that such lenitive substances are proper for 
persons of dry atrabilarian constitutions, who are subject to astriction 
of the belly, and the piles, aud will operate when stronger medicinal 
substances are sometimes ineffectual; but that such lenitive diet hurts 
those whose bowels are weak and lax. He likewise observes, that all 



■Want of appetite, "zss 

! never knew any one get into a habit of taking medicine for keeping 
the body open, who could leave it off, In time the' custom becomes 
necessary, and generally ends in a total relaxation of the bowels, indi- 
gestion, loss of appetite, wasting of the strength, and death. 

When the body cannot be kept open without medicine, we would 
recommend gentle doses of rhubarb to be taken twice or thrice a-week. 
This is not near eo injurious to the stomach as aloes, jalap, or the oth- 
er drastic purgatives so much in use- Infusions of senna and manna 
may likewise be taken, or half an ounce of soluble tartar dissolved in 
water-gruel. About the size of a nutmeg of lenitive electuary, taken 
twice or thrice a-day, generally answers the purpose very well. 

WANT OF APPETITE. 

THIS may proceed from a foul stomach; indigestion; the want of 
free air and exercise ; grief; fear ; anxiety ; or any of the depressing 
passions; excessive heat; the use of strong broths, fat meats, or any 
thing that palls the appetite, or is hard of digestion; the immoderate 
use of strong liquors, tea, tobacco, opium, &c. 

The patient ought, if possible, to make choice of an open dry air; to 
take exercise daily on horseback or in a carriage; to rise betimes; 
and to avoid all intense thought. He should use a diet of easy diges- 
tion ; and should avoid excessive heat and great fatigue. 

If want of appetite proceeds from errors in diet, or any other part 
of the patient's regimen, it ought to be changed. If nausea and retch- 
ings show that the stomach is loaded with crudities, a vomit will 
be of service- After this a gentle purge or two of rhubarb, or any of 
the bitter purging salts, may be taken. The patient ought next to use 
some of the stomachic bitters infused in wine. Though gentle evacua- 
tions be necessary, yet strong purges and vomits are to be avoided, as 
they weaken the stomach and hurt digestion. 

Elixir of vitriol is an excellent medicine in most cases of indigest- 
ion, weakness of the stomach, or want of appetite. From twenty to 
thirty drops of it may be taken twice or thrice a-day in a glass of wine 
or water. It may likewise be mixed with the tincture of the bark* 
one drachm of the former to an ounce of the /latter, and two tea-spoons- 
ful of it taken in wine and water, as above. 

The chalybeate waters, if drank in moderation, are generally of 
considerable service in this case. The salt-water has likewise good ef* 

•watery substances are lenitive, and that even common water, whey, sour 
milk, and butter-milk have that effect; that new milk, especially asses 
milk, stimulates still more when it sours on the stomach ; and that whey 
turned sour, will purge strongly : — That most garden fruits are like- 
wise laxative; and that some of them, as grapes, will throw such as 
lake them immoderately, into a cholera morbus, or incurable diarrhoea* 



2S& OF THE HEART-BURN. 

fecrts; but it must nnt be used too freely. The waters of Harrowgalej, 
Scarborough, Moffat, and most other spas iu Britain, may be used with 
advantage. We would advise all who are afflicted with indigestion 
and waut of appetite, to repair to these places of public rendezvous. 
The very change of air, and the cheerful company, will be of service, 
not to mention the exercise, amusements, &c. 

OF THE HEAJtT-BURN. 

AVHA.T is commonly called the lieart-bum, is not a disease of thai 
organ, but an uneasy sencatiou of heat or acrimony, about the pit of 
the stomach, which is sometimes attended with anxiety, nausea, and 
vomiting. 

It may proceed from cfebility of the stomach, indigestion, bile, the 
abounding of an acid in the stomach, &c. Persons who are liable to 
chis complaint, ought to avoid stale liquors, acids, windy or greasy al~ 
imeuts, and should never use violent exercise soon after a hearty meal. I 
know many persons who never fail to have the heart-burn if they ride 
soon after dinner, provided they have drank ale, wine, or any ferment- 
ed liquor : but are never troubled with it when they have drank rum, 
or brandy and water, without any sugar or acid. 

When the heart burn proceeds from debility of the stomach, or indi- 
gestion, the patien! ought to take a dose or two of rhubarb; afterwards 
lie may use infusions of the Peruvian bark ; or any other of the stom- 
achic bitters, in wine or brandy. Exercise in the open air will likewise 
be of use, and every thing that promotes digestion. 

When biiious humours occasion the heart-bum, a tea-spoonful of the 
sweet spirit of nitre in a glass of water, or a cup of tea, will generally 
give ease. If it proceeds from the use of greasy aliments, a drachm of 
brandy or rum ma) be i 

If acidity or sourness of he stomach occasions the heartburn, ab- 
sorbents are the proper medicines. In this case an ounce o.' powdered 
chalk, half an ounce of fine sugar, and a quarter of an ounce of gum-ara- 
bic, may be mixed in a quart of water, and a tea-cupful of it taken as 
often as is necessary. Such as do not choose chalk may tako a tea- 
Spoonful oi prepared oyster shells, or of the powder called crabs- eyes, 
in a glass of cinnamon or peppermint-water. But the safest and best 
absorbent is magnesia alba. This not only acts as an absorbent, but 
likewise as a purgative; whereas chalk and other absorbents of that 
kind are apt to lie in the intestines, and occasion obstructions. This 
powder is not disagreeable, and may be taken iu a cup of tea, or a 
j^iass of mint-water. A large tea spoonful is the usual dose; but it 
hiay be taken in a much greater quantity when there is occasion. 
These things are now generally made up into lozenges for the conti:- 
oiency of being carried in the pocket, aud taken at pleasure. 



9F. NERVOUS DISEASES. 2d?, 

M wind be the cause of this complaint, the most proper medicines 
are those called carminitives ; as aniseeds, juniper-berries, giuger, ca- 
nella alba, cardamom seeds, &c. These may either be chewed, or in- 
fused in wine, brandy or other spirits. One of the safest medicines of 
this kind is the tincture made by infusing an ounce of rhubarb, and a 
quarter of an ounce of the lesser cardamom seeds, in an English pint of 
brandy. After this has digested for two or three days, it ought to be 
strained, and four ounces of white sugar-candy added to it. It must 
stand to digest a second time till the sugar be dissolved. A table-spoon- 
ful of it may be taken occasionally for a dose. 

I have frequently known the heart-burn cured, particularly in preg- 
nant women, by chewing green-tea. Two table-spoonsful of what is 
called the milk; of gum-ammoniac, taken pace or twice a-day will some- 
times cure the heart- bum. 



CHAPTER XLIV, 



OF NERFOUS DISEASES. 

OF all diseases incident to mankind, those of the nervous kind are 
the most complicated and difficult to cure. A volume would not 
be sufficient to point out their various appearances. They imitate al- 
most ever j disease ; and are seldom alike in two diffirent persons, or 
even the same person at diffirent times. Proteus like they are contin- 
ually changing shape; and upon every fresh attack, the patient thinks 
he feels symptoms which he never experienced before. Nor do they 
only affect the body ; the mind likewise suffers, and is thereby rend- 
ered weak and peevish. The low spirits, timorousness, melancholy, 
and fickleness of temper, which generally attend nervous disorders, in- 
duce many to believe that they are entirely diseases of the mind ; but 
this change of temper is rather a consequence, than the cause of ner- 
vous diseases. 

CAUSES. — Every thing that tends to relax or weaken the body, 
disposes it to nervous diseases, as indolence, excessive venery, drink- 
ing too much tea, or other weak watery liquors, warm frequent bleed- 
ing, purging, vomiting, &c. Whatever hurts the digestion, or prevents 
the proper assimilation of the food, has. likewise this effect; as long 
fasting, excess in eating or drinking the use of windy, crude or un- 
wholesome aliments, an unfavourable posture of the body, <fec. 

Nervous disorders often proceed from intense application to study. 
Indeed i'ew studious persons are entirely free from them. Nor is this 
at all to be wondered at; intense thinking not only preys upon the 
spirits, but prevents the person from taking proper exercise, by which 



288 OF NERVOUS DISEASES. 

means the digestion is impaired, the nourishment prevented, the solids 
relaxed and the whole mass of humours vitiated. Grief and disapr 
jipintm at likewise produce the same effects. I have known more ner- 
vous paiieuts who dated the commencement of their disorders from the 
loss of a husband, a favourite child, or from some disappointment in 
lite, than from any other cause. In a word, whatever weakens the 
body, or depresses the spirits, may occasion uervous disorders, as un- 
wholesome air, waut of sleep, great fatigue, disagreeable apprehensions, 
anxiety, vexation, &c. 

SYMPTOMS. — We shall only mention some of the most general 
symptoms of tiiese disorders, as it would be both an useless and an 
endless t?.sk to enumerate the whole. They generally begin with win- 
dy inflations or distentions of the stomach and intestines; the appetite 
and digestiun are usually bad; yet sometimes there is an uncommon 
craving for food, and a quick digestion. The food often turns sour oa 
the stomach ; and the patient is troubled with vomiting of clear water, 
tough phlegm, or a blackish coloured liquor resembling the grounds of 
coffee. Excrutialing pains are often felt about the navel, attended 
with a rumbling or murmuring noise in the bowels. The body is some- 
times loose, but more commonly bound, which occasions a retention of 
•wind and great uneasiness. 

The urine is sometimes in small quantity, at other times very copi- 
ous and quite clear. There is a great straightness of the breast, with 
difficulty of breathing; violent palpitations of the heart; sudden flush- 
ing of heat in various parts of the body ; at other times a sense of cold 
as if water were poured on them ; flying paius in the arms and limbs, 
pains in the back and belly, resembling those occasioned by the grav- 
el ; the pulse very variable, sometimes uncommonly slow, and at other 
times very quick ; yawning, the hickup, frequent sighing, and a sense 
of suffocation, as if from a bail or lump in the throat; alternate fits of 
crying and convulsive laughing ; the sleep is unsound, and seldom re- 
freshing ; and the patient is often troubled with the night-mare. 

As the disease increases, the patient is molested with head-aches, 
cramps, and fixed pains in various parts of the body; the eyes are 
clouded, and often affected with pain and dryness; there is a noise in 
the ears, and often a dullness of hearing ; in short the whole animal 
functions are impaired. The miud is disturbed ou the most trivial oc- 
casions, and is hurried into the most perverse commotions, inquietude, 
(error, sadness, anger, diffidence, &c. The patient is apt to entertain 
wild imaginations, and extravagant fancies; the memory becomes weak, 
and the judgment fails. 

Nothing is more characteristic of this disease than a constant dread 
of death. This renders those unhappy persons who labor under it, 
peevish, fickle, impatient, and apt to run from one physician to anoth- 
er ; which is one reason why they seldom reap any benefit from med- 
icine, as they have not sufficient resolution to persist ia any one course 



' GE NERVOUS DISEASES. 2HQ 

fill it has time to produce its proper effects. They are likewise apt to 
imagine that they labour under diseases from which they are ^uite 
free ,• and are very angry if any one attempts to set them right, or laugh 
ihem out of their ridiculous notions. 

REGIMEN. — Persons afflicted with nervous diseases ought never 
to fast long. Their food should be solid and nourishing, but of easy 
digestion. Fat meats and heavy sauces are hurtful. All excess should 
be carefully avoided. They ought never to eat more at a time than 
iliey can easily digest ; but if they feel themselves weak and faipt be- 
tween meals, they ought to eat a bit of bread, arid drink a glass of wine. 
Heavy suppers are to be avoided. Though wine in excess enfeebled 
the body, and impairs the faculties of the mind, yet taken in modera- 
tion it strengthens the stomach, and promotes digestion Wine and .\ T a- 
ter is a very proper drink at meals 5 but if wine sours on the stom- 
ach, or the patient is much troubled with wind, brandy and water will 
answer better. Every thing that is windy or hard of digestion must 
foe avoided. All weak and warm liquors are hurtful, as tea, coffee, 
punch, &c. People may find a temporary relief in the use of these, 
but they always increase the malady as they weaken the stomachy 
and hurt digestion Above all things, drams are to be avoided. 
Whatever immediate ease the patient may feel from the use of 
ardent spirits, they are sure to aggravate the malady, and prove; 
certain poisoqs at last. These cautions are the more necessary ; as 
most nervous people are peculiarly food of tea and ardent spirits, to 
the use of wtiich many of them fall victims. 

Exercise in nervous disorders is superior to all medicines. Riding 
on horseback is generally esteemed the best, as it gives motion to the 
whole body without fatiguing it. I' have known some patients, how- 
ever, with whom walking agreed better, and others who were most 
benefited by riding in a carriage. Every one ought to use that 
which he finds most beneficial. Long sea-voyages have an excellent 
eilect; and to those who have sufficient resolution, we would by all 
means recommend this course. Even change of place, arid the sight 
of new objects, by diverting the mind, have a great tendency to 
remove these complaints. For this reason a long journey, or a voy- 
age, is of much more advantage than riding short journies near home* 

A cool and dry air is proper, as it braces and invigorates the whole 
body. Few things tend more to relax and enervate than hot air, espe- 
cially that which is renderd so by great fires or stoves in small apart- 
ments. But when the stomach or bowels are weak, the body ought to 
he well guarded against cold, especially in winter, by wearing a thiu. 
flannel waistcoat nest the skin. This will keep up an equal, perspira- 
tion, and defend the alimentary canal from many impressions to which 
St would otherwise be subject, upon every sudden change from warm to 
cold weather; Rubbing the body frequently with a flesh- brush, or a 
eozTsc lioneii cloth, is likewise beneficial, as it promotes the circula- 
37 



239 OF NERVOUS DISEASES. 

tion, perspiration, «Src. Persons who have weak nerves ought to risi» 
early, and take exercise before breakfast, as lying too long a-bed can- 
not fail to relax the solids. They ought likewise to be diverted, and 
to be kept as easy and cheerful as possible. There is not any thing 
which hurts the nervous system, or weakens the digestive powers more 
than fear, grief or anxiety. 

MEDICINES.— Though nervous diseases are seldom radically 
cured, yet the symptoms may sometimes be alleviated, and the patient's 
life rendered at least more comfortable by proper medicines. 

When the patient is costive, he ought to take a little rhubarb, or 
some other mild purgative, and should uever suffer his body to be long 
bound. All stroug and violent purgatives are however to be avoided, 
as aloes, jalap, &c. I have generally seen an infusion of senna and 
rhubarb in brandy, answer very well. This may be made of any 
strength, and taken in such quantity as the patieut finds necessary. 
When digestiou is bad, or the stomach relaxed and weak, the follow- 
ing infusion of Peruvian bark and other bitters may be used with ad- 
vantage. 

Take of Peruvian bark an ounce, gentian-root, orange-peel, and co- 
riander seed, of each half ao ounce, let these ingredients be all bruised 
in a mortar, and infused in a bottle of brandy or rum, for the space of 
five or six days. A table-spoonful of the strained liquor may be ta- 
ken in half a glass of water, au hour before breakfast, dinner and 
supper. 

Few things tend more to strengthen the nervous system than cold 
bathing. This practice, if duly persisted iu, will produce very extra- 
ordinary effects; but when the liver or other viscera are obstructed, 
or otherwise unsound, the cotd bath is improper. It is therefore to be 
used with very great caution. The most proper seasons for it are sum- 
mer and autumn. It will be sufficient, especially for persons of a spare 
habit, to go into the cold bath three or four times a- week. If the pa- 
tient be weakened by it, or feels chilly for a long time after coming 
out, it is improper. 

In patients afflicted with wind, I have always observed the greatest 
benefit from the elixir of vitriol. It may be taken in the quantity of 
fifteen, twenty or thirty drops, twice or thrice a-day, in a glass ef wa- 
ter. This both expells the wind, strengthens the stomach, and pro- 
motes digestion. 

Opiates are generally extolled in these maladies; but as they only 
palliate the symptoms and generally afterwards increase the disease, we 
would advise people to be extremely sparing in the use of them, lest 
habit render them at last absolutely necessary. 

It would be an easy matter to enumerate many medicines which have 
been extolled for relieving nervous disorders; but whoever wishes for 
a thorough cure, must expect it from regimen alone ; we shall there- 



OF MELANCHOLY. 2QI 

Core omit mentioning more medicines, and again recommend the strict- 
est attention to diet, air, exercise, and amusement. 

OF MELANCHOLY. 

MELANCHOLY is that state of alienation or weakness of mind, 
which renders people incapable of enjoying the pleasures, or perform- 
ing the duties of life- It is a degree of insanity, and often terminates 
in absolute madness. 

CAUSES — rt may proceed from an hereditary disposition ; in- 
tense thinkiog, especially where the mind, is long occupied by one ob- 
ject ; violent passions or affections of the mind, as love, fear, joy, 
grief, pride, and such like. It may also be occasioned by excessive 
venery, narcotic or stupefactive poisons; a sedentary life ; solitude; 
the suppression of customary evacuations; acute fevers or other dis- 
eases. Violent anger will change melancholy into madness ; and ex- 
cessive cold, especially of the lower extremities, will force the blood 
into the brain, and produce all the symptoms of madness. It may like- 
wise proceed from the use of aliment that is hard of digestion, or which 
cannot be easily assimilated, from a callous state of the integuments of 
the brain, or a dryness of the brain itself. To all which we may add 
gloomy and mistaken notions of religion. 

SYMPTOMS. — When persons begin to be melancholy, they are 
timorous ; watchful ; fond of solitude ; fretful ; fickle ; captious and 
inquisitive ; solicitous about trifles ; sometimes niggardly, and at other 
times prodigal. The body is generally bound, the urine thin, and 
in small quantity ; the stomach and bowels inflated with wind ; the 
complexion pale ; the pulse slow and weak. The. functions of the mind 
are also greatly perverted, insomuch thalfithe patient often imagines 
himself dead, or changed into some other animal. Some have imagined 
their bodies were made of glass or other brittle substances, and were 
afraid to move lest they should be broken to pieces. The unhappy pa- 
tient, in this case, unless carefully watched, is apt to put an end to his 
own miserable life. 

When the disease is owing to an obstruction of customary evacua- 
tions, or any bodily disorder, it is easier cured than when it proceeds 
from affections of the mind, or an hereditary taint. A discharge of 
blood from the nose, looseness, scabby eruptions, the bleediDg piles, or 
the menses, sometimes carry off this disease. 

REGIMEN.— The diet should consist chiefly of vegetables of a 
cooling and opening quality. Animal food, especially salted or smoke- 
dried fish or flesh, ought to be avoided. All kinds of shell fish are 
bad. Aliments prepared with onions, garlic, or any thing that gene- 
rates thick blood, are likewise improper. All kinds of fruits that are 
wholesome may be eaten with advantage. Boerhaave gives an instance 
of a patient who, by a long use s of whey, water, aad garden fruit, re- 



£02 OF MELANCHOLY. 

covered, after having evacuated a great quantity of black coloured 
matter. 

Stroug liquors of every kind ought to be avoided as poison. The 
most proper drink is water, whey, or very sonll beer v Tea and cof- 
fer ar^ mpropec If honey agrees with the patient, it may be eaten 
free'y, or his drink may be sweetened with it InfusionE of balm-leaves, 
penuy-royal. the roots of wild valerian, or the flowers of the lime tree, 
may be drank freely, either by themselves, or sweetened whh honey, 
as> the patient shall choose. 

The patient ought to take as much exercise as he can bear. This 
helps to dissolve the viscid humours, it removes obstructions, promotes 
tne perspiration, and all the other secretions. Every kind of madness 
is attended with a diminished perspiration ; all means ought therefore 
to be used to promote that necessary and salutary discharge. Nothing 
can have a more direct tendency to iucrease the disease than confiuing 
thu patient to a close apartment. Were he forced to ride or walk a 
certain number of miles every day, it would tend greatly to alleviate 
his disorder; but it would have still a better effect, if he were obliged 
to labour on a piece of ground. By digging, hoeing, planting, sowing, 
&c hoih the body and mind would be exercised. A long journey, or 
a voyage, especially towards a warmer. climate, with agreeable com- 
panions, have, often very happy effects. A plan of this kind, with a 
strict attention to diet, is a much more rational method of cure, than 
confining the patient within doors and plying him with medicines. 

MEDICINE. — In the cure of this disease particular attention must 
be paid to the mind. When the patient is in a low state, his mind ought 
to be soothed and diverted with a variety of amusements, as enter- 
taining stories, pastimes, music, &c. This seems to have been the 
method of curing melancholy among the Jews, as we learn from the 
story of King Saul; and it is a very rational &oe. Nothing can remove 
diseases of the mind so effectually as applications to the mind itself, 
the most efficacious of which is music. The patient's company ought 
likewise to consist of such persons as are agreeable to him. People in 
this state are apt to conceive unaccountable aversions to particular per- 
sons; and the very sight of such persons is sufficient to distract their 
minds, and throw, them into the utmost perturbation. 

When the patient'* strength is high, or the pulse admits of it. evacua- 
tions are necessary. In this case he must be bled, and have his body 
kept open by purging medicines, as manna, rhubarb, cream of tartar, 
or the soluble tartar. I have seen the last have very happy effects.. 
It may be taken in the dose of half an ounce, dissolved in water-gruel, 
every day, for several weeks, or even for months, if necessary. More 
or less may be given according as it operates. Vomits have likewise a 
•good effect ; but they must be pretty strong, otherwise they will not op- 
erate 



OF THE PALSY. 293 

Whatever increases the evacuation of urine or promotes perspira- 
tion, has a tendency to remove this disease. Both these secretions 
may be promoted by the iise of nitre and vinegar. 'Half a diachin of 
purified nitre may be given three or four times a day, iu auy manner 
that is most agreeable to the patient ; and an ounce and an half of dis- 
tilled vinegar may be daily mixed with his drink. Br Locker seems 
to think vinegar the best medicine that can be given in this disease. 

Camphire and musk have likewise been used in this case with ad- 
vantage. Ten or twelve grains of camphire may be rubbed in a. mor- 
tar, with half a drachm of nitre, and taken twice a day, or oftener, if 
the stomach will bear it. If it Avili not sit upon the stomach in this 
form, it may be made into pills with gum- asafcetida and Russian castor, 
and taken in the quantity above directed. If musk is to be adminis- 
tered, a scruple or twenty-five grains of it may be made into a bolus 
with a little honey or common syrup, and taken fwjee or thrice a-day. 
We do not mean that all these medicines should be administered at 
once ; but which ever of them is given, must be duly persisted in* 
and where one fails another may be tried. 

As it is Very difficult to induce patients In this disease to take medi- 
cines, we shali mention a few outward applications which sometimes do 
'good ; the principal of these are issues, setofis, and warm bathing. Is- 
sues may be made in any part of the body, but they generally have the 
best effect near the spine. The discharge from these may be greatly 
promoted by dressing them with the mild blistering ointment, and keep- 
ing what are commonly called the orrice pease in them. The most 
proper place for a seton is between the shCulder-blades; and it ought 
to be placed upwards and downwards, or in the direction of the spine. 

OF THE 'P1LS¥. 

THE palsy is a loss or diminution of sense or motion, or of both, 
an one or more parts of the body. Of all the affections called 
nervous, this is the most suddenly fatal. It is more or less dangerous, 
according to the importance of the part affected- A palsy of the heart, 
lungs, or any part necessary to life, is mortal. When it affects the 
stomach, the intestines, or the bladder, it is highly dangerous. If the 
face be affected, the case is bad, as it shows that the disease proceeds 
from the brain. When the part affected feels cold, is insensible, or 
wastes away, or when the judgment and memory begin to fail, there is 
small hope of a cure. 

CAUSES. — The immediate cause of palsy is any thing that prevents 
the regular exertion of the nervous power upon any particular muscle 
or part of the body. The occasional and predisposing causes are va- 
rious, as drunkenness ; wounds of the brain, or spinal marrow; pres- 
sure upon the brain, or nerves ; very cold or damp air, the suppres- 
sion of customary evacuations; sudden fear; want of exercise; ta 



294 OF THE PALSY. 

■whatever greatly relaxes the system, as drinking much tea,* or coffee. 
The palsy may likewise proceed from wounds of the uerves themselves, 
from the poisonous fumes of metals or miuerals, as mercury, lead, 
arsenic. 

In young persons of a full habit, the palsy must be treated in the 
same manner as the sanguine apoplexy. The patient must be bled, 
Mistered, and have his bady opened by sharp clysters or purgative 
medicines. But in old age, or when the disease proceeds from relaxa- 
tion or debility, which is generally the case, a quite contrary course 
must be pursued- The diet must be warm and invigorating, seasoned 
•with spicy and aromatic vegetables, as mustard . horse radish, &c. The 
drink may be generous wine, mustard, whey, or brandy aud water, 
Friction with the flesh-brush or a warm hand, is extremely proper, es- 
pecially on the parts affected. Blistering-plasters may likewise be ap- 
plied to the affected parts with advantage. When ihiscauuot be done, 
they may be rubbed with the volatile liniment, or the nerve ointment 
of the Edinburgh Dispensatory. One of the best external applica- 
tions is electricity. The shocks, or rather vibrations, should be re- 
ceived on the part affected, and they ought daily to be repeated for 
several weeks. 

Vomits are very beneficial in this kind of palsy, and ought frequent- 
ly to be administered. Cephalic snuff, or any thing that makes the 
patient sneeze, is likewise of use. Some pretend to have found great 
benefit from rubbing the parts affected with nettles; but this dots' not 
teem to be any way preferable to blistering. If the tongue is affected, 
the patient may gargle his mouth frequently with brand) and mustard; 
or he may hold a bit of sugar in his mouth wet with the palsy drops 
or compound spirits of lavender. The wild valerian root is a very 
j i roper medicine in this case. It may either be taken in an infusion 
with sage leaves, or half a drachm of it in powder may be given in a 
plass of wine three or four times a day. If the patient cannot use the 
Valerian, he may take of sal volatile deosum, compound spirits of la- 
vender, and tincture of castor each half an ounce; mix these together, 
and take forty or fifty drops in a glass of wine, three or four times 
:; day. A table-spoonful of mustard-seed taken frequently is a very 
food medicine. The patient ought likewise to chew cinnamon, bark, 
finger, or other warm spiceries. 

* Many people imagine that tea has no tendency to hurt the uerves, 
Prid that drinking the same quantity of warm water would be equally 
j>t:rnjcious. This however teems to be a mistake. Many persons 
. iink three or four cups of warm milk and water daily, without feeling 
i.*iy had consequences; }e! the same quantity of tea will make their 
hii) !s shake for twenty-four hours. That tea affects the nerves, is like- 
. ; lent 'ii-om its preventing sleep, occasioning giddiness, dimness 
Bicknessj &c. 



OF THE EPILEPSY, &c^ 2fts 

Exercise is of the utmost importance in the palsy; but the patient 
B»ust beware of cold, damp, and moist air. He ought to wear flannel" 
aext the skin; and if possible, should remove into a wanner climate. 

OF THE EPILEPSY, OR FALLING SICKNESS. 

THE epilepsy is a sudden deprivation of all the senses, wherein the 
patient falls suddenly down, and is affected with violent convulsive mo- 
tions. Children, especially those who are delicately brought up, are 
most subject to it. It more frequently attacks men than women, and 
is very difficult to cure. When the epilepsy attacks children, there 
is reason to hope it may go off in the time of puberty. 

When it attacks any person after twenty years of age, the cure is 
difficult ; but when after forty, a cure is hardly to be expected. If 
the fit continues only for a *hort space, and returns seldom, there is 
reason to hope ; but if it continues long, and returns frequently, the 
pros-pect is bad. It is a very unfavorable symptom whea the patient 
is seized with the fits in his sleep. 

CAUSES. — The epilepsy is sometimes hereditary. It may like- 
wise proceed from blows, bruises, or wounds on the head ; a collection 
of water, blood, or serous humours in the brain ; a polypus ; tumours 
or concretions within the skull ; excessive drinking ; intense study ; 
excess of venery ; worms; teething; suppression of customary evacua- 
tions ; too great emptiness or repletion ; violent passions or affections 
of the mind, as fear, joy, &c. hysteric affections ; contagion received 
into the body, as the infection of the small- pox, measles, &c. 

SYMPTOMS. — An epileptic fit is generally preceded by unusual 
weariness ; pain of the head ; dullness ; giddiness ; noise in the ears ; 
dimness of sight ; palpitation of the heart ; disturbed sleep ; difficult 
breathing; the bowels are inflated with wind; the urine > is in great 
quantity, but thin; the complexion is pale; the extremities are cold; 
and the patient often feels, as it were, a stream of cold air ascending 
towards the head. 

In the fit the patient generally makes an unusual noise; his thumbs 
are drawn in towards the palms of the hand ; his eyes are distorted ; 
he starts and foams at the mouth ; his extremities are bent or twisted 
various ways ; he often discharges his seed, urine, and faeces involun- 
tarily ; and is quite destitute of all sense and reason. After the fit is 
over, his senses gradually return, and he complains of a kind of stu- 
por, weariness, aud pain of the head ; but has no remembrance of what 
happened to him during the fit. 

The fits are sometimes excited by violent affections of the mind, a 
debauch of liquor, excessive heat, cold, or the like. 

This disease from the difficulty of investigating its causes, and its 
strange symptoms, was formerly attributed to the wrath of the gods, or 
the agency of evil spirits. In modern times it has often, by the vul- 



295 OF THE EPILEPSY, &c. 

gar, been imputed to witchcraft or fascination. It depends however 
as much upon natural causes as any other malady; and its cure may 
often be affected by persisting in the use of proper means. 

REGIMEN. — Epileptic patients, ought, if possible, to breathe a 
pure and free air. Their diet should be light but nourishing. They 
ought to drink nothing strong, to avoid swine's flesh, water-fowl, and 
likewise all windy and oily vegetables, as cabbage, nuts, &c. They 
ought to keep themselves cheerful, carefully guarding against all vio- 
lent passions, as anger, fear, excessive joy and the like. 

Exercise is likewise of great use; but the patient must be careful to 
avoid all extremes either of heat or cold, all dangerous situations, a3 
Standing upon precipices, riding, deep waters, and such like. 

MEJICINE — The intentions of cure must vary according to the 
cau-e of the disease.. If the patient be of r, sanguine temperament, and 
there be reason to fear an obstruction in the brain, bleeding and other 
evacuations will be uecessary. When the disease is occasioned by the 
stoppage of customary evacuations, these, if possible, must be restored; 
if this cannot be done, others may be substituted in their place. Is- 
sues or setona in this case have often a very good eflect. When there 
is reason to believe that the disease proceeds from worms, proper med- 
icines must be used to kill, or carry off these vermiu. When the dis- 
ease proceeds from teething, the body should be kept open by emolli- 
ent clysters, the feet frequently bathed in warm water, and if the fits 
prove obstinate, a blistering-plaster may be put between the shoulders. 
The same method is to be followed, when epileptic fits precede the 
eruption of the small-pox, or measles, &c. 

When the disease is hereditary or proceeds from a wrong formation 
of the brain, a cure is not to be expected. When it is owing to a de- 
bility, or too great an irritability of the nervous system, such medi- 
cines as tend to brace and strengthen the nerves may be used, as the 
Peruvian bark, and steel ; or the anti epileptic electuaries, recommend- 
ed by Fuller and Mead. 

The flowers of zinc have of late been highly extolled for the cure of 
the epilepsy. Though this medicine will not be found to answer the 
expectations which have been raised concerning it, yet in obstinate ep- 
ileptic cases it deserves a trial. The dose is from one to three or" four 
grains, which may be taken either in pills or a bolus, as the patient in- 
clines. The best method is to begin with a single grain four or five 
times a-day, and gradually to increase the dose as far as the patient 
can bear it. I have known this medicine, when duly persisted in, 
prove beneficial. 

Musk has sometimes been found to succeed in the epilepsy. Ten 
or twelve grains of it, with the same quantity of factitious cinnabar 
may be made up into a bolus, and taken every night and morning. 
Sometimes the epilepsy has been cured by electricity. 



©F THE HICKUP, 297 

©onvulsion fits proceed from the same cause, and must be treated in, 
the same manner as the epilepsy. 

There is oue particular species of convulsion fits which commonly 
goes by the nam:; of St. Vitus's dance, wherein the patient is agitated 
with strange motions and gesticulations, which by the common people 
are generally believed to be the effects of witchcraft This disease 
may be cured by repeated bleedings and purges; and afterwards using 
the medicines prescribed above for the epilepsy, vis. the Peruvian bark 
and soake-roor, &c Chaiybeaie waters are found to be beneficial iu 
this case. The cold bath is likewise of singular service, and ought 
saever to be neglected when the patient can bear it. 

OF THE HICKUl\ 

THE hickup is a spasmodic or convulsive affection of the ston> 
$ch and midriff, arising from any cause that irritates their nervous 
fibres. 

It may proceed from excess in eating or drinking ; from a hurt of 
4he stomach; poisons; inflammations or schirrous tumours of the stomach, 
intestines, bladder, midriff, or- the rest of the viscera. In gangrenes, 
acute and malignant fevers, a hickup is often the forerunner of death. 
When the hickup proceeds from the use of aliment that is flatulent, 
or hard of digestion, a draught of generous wine, or a drachm of any 
spirituous liquor, will generally remove it. If poison be the cause, 
plenty of milk aud oil must be drank, as has been formerly recom- 
mended. When ft proceeds from an inflammation of the stomach, &c. 
it is very dangerous. In this case the cooling regimen ought to be 
strictly observed. The patient must be bled, and take frequently a 
few drops of the spirits of nitre in a cup of wine His stomach should 
likewise be fomented with cloths dipped in warm water, or have blad- 
ders filled with warm mi!k and water applied to it. 

When the hickup proceeds from a gangrene or mortification, the 
Peruvian bark, with other antiseptics, are the only medicines which 
have a chance to succeed. When it is a primary disease, and pro- 
ceeds from a foul stomach, loaded either with a pituiious or a bilious 
humour, a gentle vomit and purge, if the patient be able to bear them, 
will be of service. If it arises from flatulencies, the carminitive medi- 
cines directed for the heart-burn must be used. 

When the hickup proves very obstinate, recourse must be had to 
the most powerful aromatic and antispasmodic medicines. The prin- 
cipal of these is musk ; fifteen or twenty grains of which may be made 
into a bolus, and repeated occasionally. Opiates, are likewise of ser- 
vice ; but they must be used with caution. A bit of sugar dipped in 
compound spirits of lavender, or the volatile aromatic tincture, may 
be taken frequently. External applications are sometimes also benefi- 
cial ; as the stomach olaster, or a cataplasm of the Venice treacle of 
38 " ' 



29» CRAMP OF THE STOMACH. 

the Edinburgh or London dispensatory, applied to the region oftft* 
stomach. 

I lately attended a patient who had almost a constant bickup for 
above Dine weeks. It was frequently stopped by the use of rausk, opi- 
um, wine, and other cordial and antispasmodic medicines, but always 
returned. JNTothiug however gave the patient so much ease as brisk 
small beer. By drinking freely of this, the hickup was often kept off 
for several days, which was more than could be done by the most pow- 
erful medicines. The patient was at length seized with a vomiting of 
blood, which soon put an end to his life. Upon opeuing the body, a 
large schirrous tumour was found near the pylorus or right orifice of 
the stomach. 

The hickup may be removed by taking vinegar; or by a few drops 
of the oil of vitriol taken in water. 

CRAMl' OF THE STOMACH. 

TUTS disease often seizes people suddenly, is very dangerous, and 
requires immediate assistance. It is most incident to persons in the de-* 
cline of life, especially the nervous, gouty, hysteric, and hypochon- 
driac. 

If the patient has any inclination to vomit, he ought to take some 
draughts of warm water, or weak camomile tea, to cleanse his stomach. 
After this, if he has been costive, a laxative clyster may be given. 
He ought then to take laudanum. The best way of administering it is. 
in a clyster. Sixty or seventy drops of liquid laudanum may be giv- 
en in a clyster of warm water. This is much more certain than lau- 
danum given by the mouth, which is often vomited, and in some cases 
increases the pain and spasms in the stomach. 

If the pains and cramps return with great violence, after the effects 
of the anodyne clysters are over, another, with an equal or larger 
quantity of opium, may be given ; and every four or five hours a bo- 
lus, with ten or twelve grains of Musk, and half a drachm of the Ven- 
ice treacle. 

In the mean time the stomach ought to be fomented with cloths dip- 
ped in warm water, or bladders filled with warm milk and water should 
be applied to it. I have often seen these produce the most happy ef- 
fects. The anodyne balsam may also be rubbed ou the part affected ; 
and an anti-hysteric plaster worn upon it for some time after the cramps 
are removed, to prevent their return. 

In very violent and lasting pains of the stomach, some blood ought 
to be let, unless the weakness of the patient forbids it. When the pains 
or cramps proceed from a suppression of the menses, bleeding is of 
use. If they be owing to the gout, recourse must be had to spirits, or 
some of the warm cordial waters. Blistering plasters ought likewise 
?n this case to be applied to the ancles. I have often seen violent 



mw swoomms. $m 

•cramps and pains of the stomach removed by covering it with a larg* 
plaster of venice-treacle. 

OF THE NIGHT-MARE. 

IN this disease the patient, in time of sleep, imagines he feels an us- 
eommon oppression or weight about his breast or stomach, which he 
can by no means shake off. He groans and sometimes cries out, though 
'oftener he attempts to speak in vain. -Sometimes he imagines himself 
•engaged with an enemy, and in danger of being killed, attempts to run 
away, but finds he cannot. Sometimes he fancies himself in a house 
that is on fire, or that he is in danger of being drowned in a river- 
He often ihinks be is falling over a precipice, and the dread of being 
dashed to pieces suddenly awakes him. 

This disorder has been supposed to proceed from too much blood ; 
'from a stagnation of blood in the brain, lungs, &c. But it is rather « 
nervous affection, and arises chiefly from indigestion. Hence we find 
that persons of weak nerves, who lead a sedentary life, and live full, 
are most commonly afflicted with the night-mare. Nothing tends more 
to produce it than heavy suppers, especially when eaten late, or the 
patient goes to bed soon after. Wind is likewise a very frequent 
cause of this disease; for which reason those who are afflicted with it 
ought to avoid all flatulent food. Beep thought, anxiety, or afiy thing 
4hat oppresses the mind, ought also to be avoided. 

As persons afflicted with the night mare generally moan, or make 
some noise in the fit, they should be waked> or spoken to by such aa 
Ihear them, as the uneasiness generally goes 6ff as soon as the patient is 
awake. Dr. Whytt says he generally fouod a dram of brandy, taken: 
at bed-time, prevent this disease. That however is a bad custom, anet 
in time looses its effect. We would rather have the patient depend 
upon the use of food of easy digestion, cheerfulness, exercise through 
•the day, and a light supper taken early, than to accustom himself to 
drams. A glass of peppermint water will often promote digestion as much 
as a glass of brandy, and is much safer. After a person of weak digestion, 
however, has eaten flatulent food, a dram may be necessary. 

Persons who are young and full of blood, if troubled with the night* 
mare, ought to take a purge frequently, and use a spare diet. 

of swoomms. 

PEOPLE of weak nerves or delicate constitutions are liable to 
swoonings or fainting-fits. These indeed are seldom dangerous when 
duly attended to : but when wholly neglected, or improperly treated, 
they often prove hurtful, and sometimes fatal. 

The general causes of swoonings are, sudden transitions from cold to 
&eatv$ breathing air that is deprived of its proper spring or elasticity £ 



W9 OF SWOONING*. 

f rea't fatigue; excessive weakness; loss of blood; long fasting; fear. 
grief, and other violent passions or affections of the mind. 

It is well k.io-.v.M, that pcisons who have been long exposed to cold 
often fain! or fall into a swoon, upon coming into the house, especially 
if they drink hot liq.ior. or sit near a large fire This might easily be 
prevented by people taking care not to go into a warm room immedi- 
ately af:er they have been exposed to the told air, to approach the 
fire gradually, and not ; eat or drink any thing hot, till the body has 
been gradually brought into a warm temperature. 

n any one, in consequence of neglecting these precautions, falls 
in'o a swoon, he ought immediately to be removed to a cooler apart- 
ment to have ligatures applied above his knees and elbows, and to nave 
face .-priukied with vinegar or cold water. He should 
likewise be made to smell 10 v'-upgar and should have a spoonful or 
two of wafer, if he can swallow, ^ith about a third par. of vinegar 
mixed with it, poured into his mouth. If ibese should not remove the 
complaint, i( will be accessary to bleed the patient, and afterwards to 
giro iiim a clyster. 

As air that is breathed frequently loses its elasticity or spring, it is 
no h ■■■ tier i persons who respire in it often fall into a swoon or fainting 
ey ire in this case deprived of the very principle of life, hence 
it is that fainti ig fits are so frequent in all crowded assemblies, espe- 
cially to hoi <eH5o,s. Such fits, however, must be considered as a kind 
of temporary death j aad to the weak and delicate, they sometimes 
pi ove fatal. They ought therefore with the utmost care to be guarded 
against. The method oi doing this is obvious. Let assembly rooms, 
and all other places of public resort, be large and well ventilated; and 
iet the week and delicate avoid such places, particularly in warm sea- 
sons. 

A person who faints, in such a situation, ought immediately to be 
carried into the open air; his temples should be rubbed with strong 
vinegar or brandy, and volatile spirits of salts held to his nose. He 
should be laid upon his back with his head low, and have a little wine, 
or some other cordial, as soon as he is able to swallow it, poured into 
his month. If the person has been subject to hysteric fits, castor or 
asafcetida should be applied to the nose, or burnt feathers, horn, or 
leatlter, &c. 

When fainting fits proceed from mere weakness or exhaustion, which 
is often the case aftw great fatigue/ long fasting, loss of blood or the 
like, the patient must bt supported with generous cordials, as jellies, wines, 
spirituous liquors, &c. These however must be given at first in very 
small quantities, and increased gradually as the patient is able to bear 
them. ^ He ought to be allowed to lie quite still and easy upon his back, 
with his head low, and should have fresh air admitted iuto his cham- 
ber. His food should consist of nourishing broths, sago-gruel, with 
vine, new milk, and other things of a light and cordial nature. Thert 



OF FLATULENCIES., OR WIND. lit 

things aj-e to be given out of the fit. ( All that can be done in the fit, 
is, to let him smell to a bottle of Hungary- water, tau de, luce, or spirits 
'of hartshorn, and to rub his temples with warm brandy, or to lay a 
compress dipped in it to the pit of the stomach. 

In faioiiug fits that proceed from fear, grief, or other violent passions 
or affections of the mind, the patient must be very cautiously managed-. 
He should be suffered to remain at rest, and dnly made to smell some 
vinegar. After he is come to himself he may drink freely of warm 
lemonade, or balm-tea, with some orange or lemon-peel in it. It will 
likewise be proper, if the fainting fits have been loug and severe, to 
clean the bowels by throwing in an emollient clyster. 

It is common in fainting fits, from whatever cause they proceed, to 
Meed the patient. This practice may be very proper in strong per- 
sons-, of a full ha^it; but in those who are weak and delicate, or sub- 
ject to nervous disorders, it is dangerous. The proper method with 
such people is, to espose them to the free air, and to use cordial and 
stimulating medicines, as volatile salts, Hungary -water, spirits of la» 
vender* tincture of castor, and the like. 

OF FLATULENCIES, OR WIND. 

ALL nervous patients, without exception, are afflicted witlt wind 
or flatulencies in the stomach and bowels, which arise chiefly from the 
want of tone or vigour in these organs. Crude flatulent aliment, as 
green peas, beans, coleworts, cabbages, and such like, may increase 
this complaint; but strong and healthy people aie seldom troubled 
with wind, unless they either overload their stomachs, or drink liquors 
that are in a fermenting state, and consequently full of elastic air. 
While therefore the matter of flatulence proceeds from our aliments, 
the cause which makes air separate from thetfl in such quantity as to 
occasion complaints, is almost always a fault of the bowels themselves, 
•which are too weak either to prevent the production of elastic air, or 
to expel it after it is produced. 

To relieve this complaint, such medicines ought to be Used as have 
a tendency to expel wind, and by strengthening the alimentary canal;, 
to preveat its being produced there.* 

The list of medicines for expelling wind is very numerous ; they 
often however disappoint the expectation of both the physician and 
his patient. The most celebrated among the class of carminatives are 
juniper berries ; the roots of ginger and zedoary ; the seeds of anise, 
caraway, and coriander; gum asafcetida and opium ; the warm wa- 

* Many nervous people find great benefit from eating a dry biscuit, 
especially when the stomach is empty. I look upon this as one of the 
best carminitive medicines ; and would recommend it in all complaints 
if the stomach, arising from flatulence, indigestion &c. 



•30*> OP FLATtfLEKClES, OR Wi$D. 

ters, tinctures, and spirits, as the aromatic water, the tinctures of wood- 
'soot, the volatile aromatic spirit, aether, &c. 

Dr. Whytt says, he found no medicines more efficacious in expelt- 
ing wind than aether and laudanum. He generally gave the lauda- 
num in a mixture with peppermint-water and tincture of castor, or 
sweet spirits of uitre. Sometimes in place of this, he gave opium ia 
pills with a?afcetida. He observes that the good effects of opiates are 
equally conspicuous, whether the flatulence be contained in the stom- 
ach or intestines; whereas those warm medicines, commonly called 
carminatives, do not often give immediate relief, except when the wind 
is in the stomach. 

With regard to aether, the Doctor says, he has often seen very good 
effects from it in flatulent complaints, where o'her medicines failed. 
The dose is a tea-spoonful, mixed with two table-spoousful of water.* 
In gouty cases he observes, that aether, a glass of French brandy, or 
of the aromatic water, or ginger, either taken in substance or infu- 
sed in boiling water, are among the best medicines for expelling wind. 

When the case of flatsJent patients is such as makes it improper te 
give them warm medicines inwardly, the Doctor recommends exter- 
nal applications, which are sometimes^f advantage. Equal parts of the 
anti hysteric and stomach plaster may be spread upon a piece of soft 
leather, of such size as to cover the greater part of the beliy. This 
should be kept on for a considerable time, provided the patient be 
able to bear it ; if it should give great uneasiness it may be taken off, 
and the following linament used in its Stead : 

Take of Bate's anodyne balsam, an ounce ; of the expressed oil of 
Tnace, half an ounce; oil of mint, two drachms. Let these ingredi- 
ents be mixed together, and about a table-spoonful well rubbed on the 
iparts at bed-time. 

For strengthening the stomach sad howels, and consequently for les- 
sening the production of flatulence, the Doctor recommends the Peru- 
vian bark, bitters, chalybeates, and exercise. In flatulent cases, he 
'thinks some nutmeg or ginger should be added to the tincture of the 
Dbark and bitters, aud that the aromatic powder should be joined with 
the filings of iron. 

When windy complaints are attended with costiveness, which is of- 
ten the case, few things will be found to answer better than lour or 
five of the following pills taken every night at bed-time. 

Take of asafcetida two drachms; succotrine aloes, salt of iron, and 
ynwdered ginger, of each, one drachm ; as much of the ciixir prcprit- 
iatis as will be sufficient to form them into pills. 

* Though the patient may begin with this quantity, it will be neces- 
«iry to increase the dose gradually as the stomach can bear it. A ther 
Is now given hi coasiderably greater doses than it was in Dr. Wh)tt% 

%sme. 



OF LOW SPIRITS* mk 

©nine other hand, when the body is too open, twelve or fifteen 
grains of rhubarb, with half a drachm or two scruples of the Japonic 
Confection j given every other evening, will have very good effects. 

In those flatulent complaints which come on about the time the mm- 
?es cease, repeated small bleedings often give more relief thau any oth- 
er remedy. 

With regard to diet the Doctor observes, that tea, and likewise all 
flatulent aliments, are to be avoided; and that for drink, water with a, 
little brandy or rum, is, not only preferable to malt liquor, but in most 
cases also to wine. 

As Doctor Wbytt has paid great attention to this subject, and as his 
sentiments upon it in a great measure agree with mine, I have taken 
the liberty to adopt them; and shall only add to his observations, that ex- 
ercise is in my opinion superior to all medicine, both for preventing 
the production, and likewise for expelling of flatulencies. These ef- 
fects however are not to be expected from sauntering about, or lolling in' 
a carriage ; but from labour or such active amusements as give exercise 
|o every part of the body. 

OF LOW SPIRITS. 

All who haye weak nerves are subject to. low spirits in a greater or 
Jess degree. Generous diet, the cold bath, exercise, and amusements, 
are the most ltkety means to remove this complaint. It is greatly in- 
creased by solitiide and indulging gloomy ideas, but may often be re- 
lieved by cheerful company and sprightly amusements. 

When low spirits are owing to a weak relaxed state of the stomach 
and bowels, an infusion of the Peruvian bark with cinnamon or nutmeg 
will be proper. Steel joined with aroroatics may likewise in this case 
be used with advantage ; but riding and a proper diet are most to be de- 
pended on. 

When they arise from foujnesg of the stomach and intestines, or ob- 
structions in the hypochondriac viscera, aloetic purges will be proper. 
I have sometimes known the Harrowgate sulphur-water of service in 
flris case. 

When low spirits proceed from a suppression of the menstrual or of 
the hemorrhoidal flux, these evacuations may either be restored, or 
some other substituted in their place, as issues, setons or the like. Dr. 
Whytt observes, that nothing has such sudden good effects in this case 
as bleeding. 

When low spirits have been brought on by long continued grief, 
anxiety, or other distress of mind, agreeable company, variety of 
amusements, and change of place, especially travelling into foreign 
^countries, will afford the most certain relief. 

Persons afflicted with low spirits should avoid all kinds of excess, 
Imperially of yenery and strong liquors. The moderate use of wine 



30* OF HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS'. 

and other strong liquors is by no meaas hurtful; but when taken t« 
excess they weaken the stomach, vitiate the humours, and depress the 
spirits This cautiou is die more necessary, as the unfortunate and 
melancholy often fly to strong liquors for relief, by which means they 
never fail to precipitate their own destruction. 

OF HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS. 

THESE likewise belong to the numerous tribe of nervous diseases, 
■which may be justly reckoned the reproach of medicine. — Women of 
a delicate habit, whose stomach and intestines arc relaxed and whose 
nervous system is extremely sensible, are most subject to h) steric 
complaints. In such persons an hysteric fit, as it is called, may be 
brought oq by an irritation of the nerves of the stomach or intestines, 
by wind, acrid humour, or the like. A sudden suppression of the 
9nenses often give rise to hysteric fits They may likewise be exci- 
ted by violent passions or affections of the mind, as fear, grief, auger, 
or great disappointments. 

Sometime the hysteric fit resembles a swoon or fainting fit, during 
■which the patient lies as in a sleep, only the breathing is t0 low as 
scarce to be perceived. At other times the patieot is affected with 
catchings and strong convulsions. The symptoms which precede hys- 
teric fits are likewise various in different persons. — Sometimes the fits 
come on with coldness of the extremities, yawning and stretching, low- 
ness of spirits, oppression and anxiety. At o her times the approach 
of the fit is foretold by a feeling, as if there were a ball at the lower 
part of the belly, which gradually rises towards the stomach, where it 
occasions inflation, sickness, and sometimes vomiting ; afterwards it ri- 
ses into the gullet, and occasions a degree of suffocatiou, to which 
quick breathing, palpitation of the heart, giddiness of die head, dimness 
of the sight, loss of hearing, with convulsive motions of the extremities 
and other parts of the body, succeed. The hj steric paroxysm is often 
introduced by an immoderate fit of laughter, and sometimes it goes off 
by crying. Indeed there is not much difference between the laughing 
and cryi'ug of an highly hysteric lady. 

Our aim in the treatment of this disease, must be to shorten the fit or 
paroxysm when present, and to prevent its return, The longer the fit* 
continue, aud the more frequently they return, the disease becomes the 
more obstinate. Their strength is increased by habit, and they induce 
so great a relaxation of the system, that it is with difficulty removed. 

It is customary during the hysteric fit or paroxysm, to bleed the pa- 
tient. In strong persons of a plethoric habit, and where the pulse is 
full, this may be proper: but in weak and delicate constitutions, or where 
the disease has been of long standius, or arises from inanition, it is not 
safe. The best course in such case is to rouse the patient by strong 
smells, as burnt feathers, asafatida, or spirits of hartshorn, held to the 



OF HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS. 305 

i'jose. Hot bricks may also be applied to the soles of the feet, and the 
legs, arms and belly may be strongly rubbed with a warm cloth. But 
the best application is to put the feet acid legs into warm wafer. This 
is peculiarly proper when the fits precede the flow of the menses. la 
case of costiveness, a laxative clyster with asafoetida will be proper; 
and as soon as the patient can swallow, two table-spoonsful of a solution 
of asafoetida, or of some cordial julep, may be given.* 

The radical cure of this disorder will be best attempted at a time 
when the patient is most free from the fits. It will be greatly promoted by 
a proper attention to diet. A milk and vegetable diet, when duly per- 
sisted in, will often perform a cure. If however the patient has been 
accusiomed to a more generous diet, it will not be safe to leave it off all 
at once, but by degrees. The most proper drink is water with a small 
quantity of spirits, A cool dry air is the best. Cold bathing, and ev- 
ery thing that braces the nerves and invigorates the system, is benefi- 
cial ; but lying too long in bed, or whatever relaxes the body, is hurt- 
ful. It is of the greatest importance to have the mind kept constantly 
easy and cheerful, and, if possible, to have it always engaged In some 
agreeable and interesting pursuit. 

The proper medicines are those which strengthen the alimentary 
canal and the whole nervous system, as the preparations of iron, the 
Peruvian bark and other bitters. Twenty drops of the elixir of vitri- 
ol,, in a cup of the infusion of the bark, may be taken twice or thrice, 
a-day. The bark and iron may likewise be taken in substance, provi- 
ded the stomach can bear them ; but they are generally given in too* 
small doses to have any effect. The chalybeate waters generally prove 
beneficial in this disorder. 

If the stomach is loaded with phlegm, vomits will be of use; but 
ihey should not be too strong, nor frequently repeated, as they tend to 
relax and weaken the stomach. If there be a tendency to costiveness^ 
si most be removed eftbei by diet, or by taking an opening pill as often, 
as it shall be found necessary. 

To lessen the irritability of the system, antispasmodic medicines wilt 
lie of use. The best antispasmodic medicines are musk, ppium, and 
castor. When opium disagrees with the stomach, it may either be ap- 
plied externally, or given in clysters. It is often successful in remo- 
ving those periodical head-aches, to which hysteric and hypochondri- 

# When hysteric fits are occasioned by sympathy, they may be cu- 
red by exciting an opposite passion. This is said to have been the 
case of a whole school of young ladies in Holland, who were all cured 
by being told', that the first who was seized should be burnt to death. 
But this method of cure, to my knowledge, will not always succeed. 
| would therefore advise, that young ladies who are subject to hysteric 
fits should not be sent to boarding schools, as the disease maybe caught 
by imitations I have knowa madness itself brought on by sympathy. 
39 



SOfi OF HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS. 

?.c patients are subject. Castor has hi some cases been found to pro- 
cure sleep where opium failed; for which reason, Dr. Whytt advises, 
that they should be joined together. He likewise recommends the au- 
tt hysteric plaster to be applied to the abdomen.* 

Hysteric women are often afflicted with cramps, in various parts of 
the body, which are most apt to seize them in bed, or when asleep. 
The most efficacious medicines in this case are opium, blistering- 
plasters, and warm bathing or fomentations. When the cramp or spasm 
is very violent, opium is the remedy most to be depended on. In 
milder cases, immersing the feet and legs in warm water, or apply- 
ing a blistering-plaster to the part affected, will often be sufficient to 
remove the complaint. In patients whose nerve* are uncommonly 
delicate and sensible, it will be better to omit the blistering-plaster, 
and to attempt the cure by opiates, musk, camphire and the warm 
bath. 

Cramps are often prevented or cured by compression. Thut 
cramps in the legs are prevented, and sometimes removed, by tight 
bandages ; and when convulsions arise from a flatulent distention of 
the iutestines, or from spasms beginning in them, they may be often 
lessened or cured by making a pretty strong compression upon the 
abdomen by means of a broad belt. A roll of brimstone held in the 
hand is frequently used as a remedy for cramps. Though this seems 
to owe its effects chiefly to imagination, yet, as it sometimes succeeds, 
it merits a trial. f When spasms or convulsive motions arise from shaip 
humours in the stomach or intestines, no lasting relief can be procured 
till these are either corrected or expelled. The Peruvian bark has 
sometimes cured periodic convulsions after other medicines had failed. 

OF HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS. 

THIS disease generally attacks the indolent, the luxurious, the un- 
fortunate, and the studious. It becomes daily more common in this 
country, owing no doubt to the increase of luxury and sedentary em- 
ployments. It has so near a resemblance to the immediately preceding, 
that many authors consider them as the same disease, and treat them 
accordingly. They require however, a very different regimen; and 
the symptoms of the latter, though less violent, are more permanent than 
those of the former. 

* Though antispasmodics and anodynes are universally recommend- 
ed in this disease, yet all the extraordinary cures that I ever knew in 
hysteric cases, were performed by means of tonic and corroborating 
medicines. 

t Some persons afflicted wilh cramps pretend to reap great benefit 
from small bundles of rosemary tied all night about their feet, ancles, 
and knees. 



OF HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS. 30? 

Men of a melancholy temperament, whose minds are capable of great 
attention, and whose passions are not easily moved, are in. the advau- 
ced periods of life, most liable k to this disease. It is usually brought 
en by long and serious attention to abstruse subjects, grief, the sup- 
pression of customary evacuations, excess of venery, the repulsion of 
cutaneous eruptions, long continued evacuations, obstruction in some of 
the viscera, as the liver, spleen, &c. 

Hypochondriac persons ought never to fast long, and their food 
should be solid and nourishing. All ascesent and windy vegetables are 
to be avoided. Flesh meats agree best with them, and their drink 
should be old Claret, or good Madeira. Should these disagree with 
the stomach, water with a little brandy or rum in it may be drank. 

Cheerfulness and serenity of mind are by all means to be cultivated. 
Exercise of every kind is useful. The cold bath is likewise benefi- 
cial; and / where it does not agree with the patient, frictions with the 
flesh-brush or a coarse cloth may be tried. If the patient has it in his 
power, he ought to travel either by sea or land. A voyage or a long 
journey, especially towards a warmer climate, will be of more service 
than any medicine. 

The general intentions of cure in this disease, are to strengthen the 
alimentary canal, and to promote the secretions. These intentions will 
be best answered by the different preparations of iron and the Peruvi- 
an bark, which, after proper evacuations, may be taken in the same 
manner as directed in the preceding disease. 

If the patient be costive, it will be necessary to make use of some 
gentle opening medicines, as pills composed of equal parts of aloes, 
rhubarb, and asafoetida, with as much of the elixir proprietatis as is 
necessary to form the ingredients into pills. Two, three, or Jour of these 
may be taken as often as it shall be found needful, to keep the body 
gently open. Such as cannot bear the asafoetida, may substitute Span- 
ish soap in its place. 

Though a cheerful glass may have good effects in this disease, yet all 
manner of excess is hurtful. Intense study, and every thing that de- 
presses the spirits, are likewise pernicious. 

Though the general symptoms and treatment of nervous disorders 
were pointed out in the beginning of this chapter, yet, for the benefit 
of the unhappy persons afflicted with those obstinate and complicated 
maladies, I have treated several of their capital symptoms under dis« 
tinct or separate heads. These however are not to be considered as 
different diseases, but as various modifications of the same disease. 
They all arise from the same general causes, and require nearly the 
same method of treatment. There are many other symptoms that mer- 
it particular attention, which the nature of my plan will not permit me 
to treat of at full length. I shall therefore omit them altogether, and 
conclude this chapter with a few general remarks on the most obvious 
aaeaps of preventing or avoiding nervous disorders 



308 OF HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS. 

In all persons afflicted with nervous disorders, there is a great deli- 
cacy; and sensibility of the whole nervous system, and an uncommon 
decree of weakness of the organs of digestion. These maybe either 
nalu: »1 or acquired. When owing to a defect in the constiiution, they 
are hardly to be removed; but maybe mitigated by proper care. 
When induced by diseases, as long or repeated fe\ ers, profuse haemorr- 
hages or the like, they prove also very obstinate, and will }ield only 
to a course of regimen calculated to restore and invigorate the habit. 

But nervous affections arise more frequently from causes, which it 
is in a great measure in our own power to avoid, than from diseases, 
or an original fault in the constitution, &c. Excessive grief, intense 
study, improper diet, and neglect of exercise, are the great sources of 
this extensive class of diseases. 

It has been already observed, that grief indulged destroys the appe- 
tite and digestion, depresses the spirits, and induces an universal relax- 
ation and debility of the whole system. Instances of this are daily to 
fee seen The less of a near relation, or any other misfortune in life, 
is often sulTicieit to occasion the most complicated series of nervous 
symptom 5 . Such misfortunes indeed are not to be avoided, but surely 
their effects, by a vigorous and proper exertion of the mind, might be 
rendered less hurtful. For directions in this matter, we must refer the 
reader to the article Grief, in the chapter on the passions. 

The effects of intense study are pretty similar to those occasioned 
by grief. It preys upon the animal spirits, and destroys the appetite 
and digestion. To prevent these effects, studious persons ought accor- 
ding to the Poet, to toy with their books* They should never study 
too long at a time; nor attend long to one particular subject, especial- 
ly if it be of a serious nature. They ought likewise to be attentive to 
their posture, and should take care frequently to unbend their minds 
by music, diversions, or going into agreeable company. 

With regard to diet, 1 shali enly observe, that nervous diseases may 
be induced either by excess or inanition. Both of these extremes 
hurt digestion, and vitiate the humours. When nature is oppressed 
with fresh loads of food before she has had time to digest and assimi- 
late the former meal, her powers are weakened, and the vessels are fib 
led wih crude humours. On the other hand, when the food is not suf- 
ficiently nourishing, or is taken too seldom, the bowels are inflated 
-with wind, and the humours, for Avant of regular fresh supplies of 
wholesome chyle, are vitiated. These extremes are therefore with 
equal care to be avoided. They both tend to induce a relaxation, and 
debility of the nervous system, with all its dreadful train of consequen- 
ces. 

But the most general cause of nervous disorders, is indolence — The 
active aud laborious are seldom troubled with them. They are reser- 

* Armstrong on Health. 



TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW. 300 

y-ad for the children of ease and affluence, who generally feel their 
keenest force. AJl we shall say to such persons, is, that the means of 
prevention and cure are both in their owu power. If the constitution 
of human nature be such, that man must either labour or suffer diseases, 
surely no individual has any right to expect an exemption from the 
general rule. 

Those however who are willing to take exercise, but whose occupa- 
tions confine them to the house, and perhaps to an unfavourabe post- 
ure, really deserve our pity. We have in a former part of the book, 
endeavoured to I fey down rules for their conduct; and shall only add, 
that where these cannot be complied with, their place may, in some 
measure, be supplied by the use of bracing and strengthening medi- 
cines, as the Peruvian bark, with other bitters ; the preparations of 
steel; the elixir of vitriol, &c. 

OF THE TETANUS, OR THE LOCKED JAW. 

UNDER this term may be comprehended the spasmodic affections, 
called emprosthotonos, opisthotonos, and trismus, being one disease, dif- 
fering only in the degree of its violence. When the body aud head 
are bended forwards, it is called emprosthotonos, when they are car- 
ried backwards, and immovably fixed, it bears tiie appellation of opist- 
hotonos; and when the body is sustained in an erect position, by the 
muscle on the fore and batk part of the trunk acting with equal strength, 
the disease is called tetanus. — When the muscles of the jaw become 
more particularly affected, it is called trismus or the locker! jaw. 

These spasmodic complaints affect both sexes, and no age is exemp- 
ted from their violence. They affect the male oftener than tiie female, 
and more particularly those people who inhabit warm climates, and 
every climate at the warm season of the year. Sometimes they occur 
in winter independent of wounds. 

CAUSES. — Wounds in any part of the body are sometimes suc- 
ceeded by this disease. But more particularly from those in tendons 1 , 
where a trifling injury will not unfrequteutly produce this complaint', 
when it is least expected. Whereas, fit other times, a wound of con- 
siderable magnitude, under apparently similar circumstances, will have 
no such effect ; and, even after operations in tendenous parts, it is by 
no means a frequent occurrence; when at other times, a simple frac- 
ture of the leg will produce it in all its force. Cold, when accompa- 
nied with moisture, will produce this disease ; particularly when thfi 
body is exposed while asleep on a damp pavement, or in a damp cel- 
lar, immediately after being heated and fatigued by exercise. Chil- 
dren are frequently siezed with this disease in a short time after de- 
livery. 

SYMPTOMS.— This disease, if it is from the effects of cold, gen- 
erally comes on of a sudden. But when from a wound, it gradually* 



JS10 TETANUS, OR LOCKED J AIT. 

approaches about the tenth, fourteenth, or twentieth days after the ac- 
cidcut. It often comes oa at a time when the wound gives but little 
uneasiness, and is nearly healed. The patient first complains n\ an 
urrcasy sensation at the lower part of the breast bone, with a stiffness 
in the back part of the neck and muscles of the lower jaw, which in- 
crease with a painful sensation at the root of the tongue, and a slight 
difficulty in swallowing But no appearance of swelling can be ob- 
served iu the throat. The muscles of the back now become rigid. 
This rigidity in a short time extends to those of the neck, attended 
with a pain in the direction of the spine of the back; At length the 
head, neck, and back bone are forcibly bent backwards. The body 
becomes fixed iu that position. The muscles of the jaw are now vio- 
lently affected, attended with an impossibility of swallowing. Even 
liquids are thrown forcibly back through the uosr. These symptom* 
generally take place on the second or third day, when die body is fre- 
quently siezed with violent convulsive spasms; and the pain at the 
part of the breast boue i'.'-j,rea3c- 9 which shoots through towards 
Lh ack. 

The muscles of the limbs now become rigid, and the body is so 
much bent ha U wards as to rest on the back part of the head and 
heels. As the disease advauces, the convulsive spasms become more 
violent. At length tetanus is produced, from the muscles on the fore 
and back part of the trunk, acting with an equal degree of vigour, sus- 
taining the bo ly in an erect position. The pulse is generally frequent 
with the other symptoms of fever, particularly when the disease is the 
consequence of cold. The bowels are generally costive, attended with 
a retraction of the belly. The urine is discharged with difficulty, and 
sometimes a suppression of that evacuation takes place. — The face ap- 
pears prde, expressive of great anxiety and distress. The patient is 
seldom, if ever, delirious, although he slumbers but little, from which 
he frequently awakes oa a sudden, with violent spasms At length 
the muscular system becomes more generally affected, and one univer- 
sal convulsion closes the miserable existauce of the patient. 

MEDICINE. — In our attempt to cure this disease, the indications 
■are nearly the same, wheu produced from cold or the consequence of 
a wound, except wheu the wound is without swelling and inflamma- 
tion It should then be dilated and dressed, with lint dipped in warm 
basilicon. or any other stimulating application. After this, two, three, 
or even four grains of opium should be given three or four times a-day 
Ifitg to the urgency of the symptoms, and tendency to induce 
sleep'; for astonishing quantities of this medicine may be given with- 
rsut having the leasi tendency to make the patient slumber. Thisreme- 
v should be administered early, as well as large quantities of Madeira 
. before the swallowing becomes interrupted; and the system 
; with mercury with as much expedition as possible. 
■mov this puvpose two or Uuee drachms of mercurial ointment must b? 



DISORDERS OF THE SENSES,. 31 % 

Tubbed into the inside of the legs, thighs and arms, morning and even- 
ning, and likewise into the muscles more particularly affected with 
spasms. To co operate with those medicines, the cold bath must be 
used, or cold water thrown over the body. The boTels should be kept 
open with calomel, castor-oil, and clysters. All those remedies must 
1>e used at an early period of the complaint, so as to make as formida- 
ble an attack as* possible on this very formidable disease, which too 
frequently terminates in the death of the patient, in spite of every ef- 
fort to save him. 

When it is about to take place in infants, the bowels must be opened 
with calomel or castor oil. But where it has actually taken place, lit- 
tle can be done. However, a similar plan may be used with that re- 
commended in grown, persons. 



CHAPTER XLV. 



DISORDERS OF THE SENSES. 

WE do not mean to treat of the nature of our sensations, or to give 
a minute description of the various organs by which they are 
performed ; but to point out some of the diseases to which these organs 
are most liable, and to show how they may be prevented or remedied* 

OF THE EYE. 

No organ of the body is subject to more diseases than the eye; nor ie 
there any one of which the diseases are more difficult to cure. Though 
more ignorant persons pretend to cure these than any other class of 
diseases ; yet a very superficial acquaintance with the structure of the 
eye, and the nature of vision, will be sufficient to convince any one of 
the danger of trusting to them. These diseases often exceed the skill 
©f the most learned physician ; hence we may easily infer the danger 
of trusting them to ignorant quacks, who, without doubt, put out more 
eyes than they cure. But, though the diseases of the eye can seldom 
fee cured, they might often, by due care, be prevented ; and, evea 
where the sight is totally lost, many things might be done, which are 
generally neglected, to render the unhappy person both more useful ta 
himself and society.* 

* It is a pity those who have the misfortune to be born blind, or who 
lose their sight when youcg, should be suffered to remain io ignorance, 



312 OF THE EYE. 

The eyes are hurt by viewing bright or luminous objects ; keeping 
the head too long iu a hanging posture; violent head-aches; excessive 
veaery ; the long use of bitters; the effluvia from acrid or volatile sub- 
stances; various diseases ; as the small pox, measles, d:c. but above all 
from night watching, and candle-light studies. Loug fasting is likewise 
hurtful to the eyes, and frequent heals and colds are no less pernicious. 
The eyes are often hurt by the stoppage of customary evacuations: as 
morning sweats ; sweating of the feet, the menses in women ; and the 
bleeding piles in men. — All kind? of excess are likewise hurtful to the 
sight, particularly the immoderate use of ardeut spirits and other strong 
liquors. 

In all diseases of the eyes, especially those atteuded with inflamma- 
tion, the cool regimen ought to be observed. The patient must abstain 
from all spirituous liquors. The smoke of tobacco, smoky rooms, the 
vapours of onions and garlic, and all vivid lights and glaring colours, 
are carefully to be avoided The drink may be water, whey, or small 
beer; and the aliment must be light and of easy digestiou. 

For preventing disorders of me eyes, issues and setons are of prime 
use. Every person whose c>e: are lender, o.ight to have one or more 
of these in some part of the body. It will likewise be of use to keep 
the body gently open, and either to bleed or purge every spring and 
fall. Alf excess and night studies are to be avoided. _ Such as do not 
choose a seton or an issue, will reap benefit from wearing a small Bur-r 
gundy pitch plaster between the shoulders. 

A gutta serena or amaurosis is an abolition of the sight without any 
apparent cause or fault in the eyes. When it is owing to a decay or 
casting of the optic nerve, it does not admit of a cure; but when it 
proceeds from a compression of the nerves by redundant humours, these 
may iu some measure be drained off, and the patient relieved. For 
this purpose, the body must be kept open with the laxative mercurial 
pills. If the patieut be young and of a sanguine habit he may be bled. 
Cupping. With scarifications on the back part of the head, will like- 
wise be of use. A running at the nose may be promoted by volatile 
salts, stimulating powders, &c. But the most likely means for reliev- 
ing tiie patieut are issues or blisters kept ©pen for a long time ou the 

or to beg. This is both cruelty and want of economy. There are 
many employments of which blind persons are very capable, as knit- 
ting, carding, turning a wheel, teaching languages, &c. Nor are in- 
sWces wanting of persons who have arrived at the highest pitch ot 
learning, without having the least idea of light. Witness the late fa- 
mous Nicholas Sanderson of Cambridge, and my worthy friend Dr. 
Thomas Blacklock of Edinburgh. The former was one of the first 
mathematicians of his age, and the latter, besides being a good peet and 
philosopher, is master of all the learned languages, and a, very conside- 
rable adept in the libera! arts. 



OF THE EYE. 813 

back part of the head, behind the ears, or on the neck. I have known 
ttiese restore sight, even after it had been for a considerable time lost. 

Should these fail, recourse must be had to mercurial sain tv as; or 
■what will perhaps answer the purpose better, twelve grains of corro- 
sive sublimate of mercury may be dissolved in an English pint and an 
half of brandy, and a table-spoonful of it taken twice a-day, drinking 
half a pint of the decoction of sarsaparilla after it. 

A cataract is an obstruction of the pupil, by the interposition of some 
opaque substance which either diminishes or totally extinguishes the 
sight. It is generally an opacity of chrystalliae humour To a re- 
cent or beginning cataract, the same medicines are to *je used as in die 
gutta serena ; and they will sometimes succeed But when this does 
iiot happen, and the cataract becomes firm, it must be couched, or 
rather extracted. I have resolved a recent cataract by giving the pa- 
tient frequent purges with calomel, keeping a poultice of fresh hem- 
lock constantly upon the eye and a perpetual blister pu the ueck. # 

The myopia or short sigMedness, and the presbyopia or seeing only 
at too great a distance, are disorders which depeud on the original 
structure or figure of the eye, therefore admit of no cure. The incon- 
veniences arising from them may however be, in some measure, reme- 
died by the help of proper glasses, The former requires the aid of a 
concave, and the latter of a convex glass. 

A strabismus or squinting, depends upon an irregular contraction of 
the muscles of the eye from a spasm, palsy, epilepsy, or an ill habit. 
Children often contract this disorder by having their eyes unequally 
exposed to the light. They may likewise acquire it by imitation from 
a squinting nurse or play-fellow, &c. As this disorder can hardly be 
cured, pavents ought to be careful to prevent it. Almost the only thing 
-which can be done for it is to contrive a mask for the child to wear, 
which Avill only permit him to see in a straight direction. 

Spots or specks on the eyes are generally the effect of iuflaramat-on, 
and often appear after the small pox, the measles, or violent ophthalmi- 
as. They are very difficult to cu v e, and often occasion total blindness. 
If the specks are soft and thin, they may sometimes he. taken off by 
gentle caustics and discutients; as vitriol, the juice of celandine &c. 
When thesft do not succeed, a surgical operation may be tried ; the 
success of this however is always very doubtful. 

The blood-shot eye may be occasioned b 
vomiting, violent coughing, &c. I have frequently known it happen to 
children in the hoopiug-cough. It appears at first like a bii of scarlet, 
and is afterwards of a livid or blackish colour, This disorder general- 
ly goes oft" without medicine. Should it prove obstinate, the patient 
way be bled, and have his eyes fomented with a decoction of cumphry 

%,in both these cases electricity merits a trial. 
40 



9U OF THE EAR, 

roots and elder flowers. A soft poultice may be applied to the eyes ^ 
arjd the body should be kept open by gentle purgatives. 

The watery or weeping eye is generally occasioned by a relaxation 
or weakness of the glandular parts of that organ. These may be bra- 
ced and strengthened by bathing the eye with brandy and water, Hun- 
gary-water, rose water, with white vitriol dissolved in it, &c. Medi- 
cines which make a revulsion are likewise proper ; as mild purgatives, 
perpetual blisters on the neck, bathing the feet frequently iu luke-warm 
water, &c. 

When this disease proceeds from an obstruction of the lachrymal 
duct, or natural passage of the tears, it is called & fistula lachryinalis, 
<yid can only be cured by a surgical operatiou.* 

OF THE EAR. 

THE functions of the ear may be injured by wounds, ulcers, or any 
thing that hurts its fabric. The hearing may likewise be hurt by ex- 
cessive noise ; violent colds in the head ; fevers; hard was, or other 
substances sticking in the cavity of the ear; too great a degree of 
moisture or dryness of the ear. Deafness is very often the effect of old 
age, and is incident to most people in the decline of life. Sometimes it 
is owing to an original fault in the structure or formation of the ear it- 
self. When this is the case, it admits of no cure; and the unhappy 
persou not only continues deaf, but generally likewise dumb, for life.f 



* A weeping or wateiy eye is often the mark of a scrophulous habit. 

f Though those who have the misfortune to be born deaf are gener- 
ally suffered to continue dumb, and consequently are in a great meas- 
ure lost to society, yet nothing is more certain than that such person 
may be taught not only to read and write, but also to speak and to un- 
derstand what others say to them. Teaching the dumb to sneak will 
appear paradoxical to those, who do not consider that the formation of 
souuds is merely mechanical, and may be taught without the assistance 
of the ear. This is not only capable of demonstration, but it is actual- 
ly reduced to practice by the ingenious Mr. Thomas Braid wood of 
Edinburgh. This gentleman has, by the mere force of genius and ap- 
plication, brought the teaching of dumb persons to such a degree of 
perfection, that his scholars are generally more forward in their edu- 
cation than those of the same age who enjoy all their faculties. They 
not only read and write with the utmost readiness, but likewise speak, 
and are capable of holding conversation with any person in the light. 
What a pity any of the human species should remain in a state of idi- 
otism, who arc capable of being rendered as useful and intelligent as 
others! We mention this not only from humanity to those who h.ive 
the misfortune to be born deaf, but a!?o iu justice to Mr. Braidvrowl, 
whose success has far exceeded all former 1 ' attempts his way ; and 



'OP THE EAR. 315 ^ 

When deafness is (he effect of wounds or ulcers of the ears, or of old 
age, it is not easily removed. When it proceeds from cold of the head, 
the patient must be careful to keep his head warm, especially in ihe 
night; he should likewise take some gentle purges, and keep his feet 
warm, and bathe them frequently in lukewarm water at bed time. 
When deafness is the effect of a fever, it generally goes off after the 
patient recovers. If it proceeds from dry wax sticking in the ears, it 
may be softened by dropping oil into them; afterwards they must be 
syringed with warm milk and water. 

If deafness proceeds from dryness of the ears; which may be known 
by looking into them, half an ounce of the oil of sweet almonds, and 
the same quantity of liquid opodeldoc!), or tincture of asafoetida, may 
be mixed together, and a few drops of it put into the ear every night 
at bed-time, stopping them afterwards with a little wool or cotton. 
Some instead of oil, put a small slice of the fat of bacon into each ear, 
which is said to answer the purpose very well. When the ears abound 
with moisture, it may be drained off by an issue or seton, which should 
be made as near the affected parts as possible. 

Some, for the cure of deafness, recommend the gall of an eel, mixed 
with spirit of wine, to be dropped into the ear ; others equal parts of 
Hungary- water, and spirit of lavender. Etmuller extols amber and 
musk ; and Brookes says, he has often known hardness of hearing 
cured, by putting a grain or two of musk into the ear with cotton- 
wool. Bat these and other applications must be varied according to 
the cause of the disorder.* 

Though such application may sometimes be of service, yet they 
much oftener fail, and frequently they do hurt. Neither the eyes nor 
«ars ought to be tampered with; they are tender o'rgans, and require 
a very delicate touch. For this reason what we would chiefly resom- 
mend in deafness, is, to keep the head warm. From whatever cause 
the disorder proceeds, this is always proper; and I have known more 
benefit from it alone, in the most obstinate cases of deafness, than from 
all the medicines I ever used.f 

iudeed it exceeds imagination itself so far, that no person who has not 
seen and examined his pupils, can believe what they are capable of. — > 
As this gentleman, however willing, is only able to teach a few, and as 
the far greater part of those who are born deaf cannot afford to attend 
him, it would be an act of great humanity, as well as of public utility to 
erect an academy for their benefit. 

* A gentleman on whose veracity I can depend, told me, that after 
using many things to no purpose for an obstinate deafness, he was at 
last advised to put a few drops of his own urine warm into his ears 
every night and morning, from which he received great benefit. It is 
probable that a solution of sal ammoniac in water would produce the 
^same effect. 

t An obstinate deafness has been cured by electricity. 



:1P OF THE TASTE AND SMELL 



OF THE TASTE AND SMELL. 

THOUGH these senses are not of so great importance toman in ft 
State of socie.y, is the sight and hearing; yet, as the loss of them is 
attended with some iuconveniency they deserve our notice. They 
aj. seldom to be restored when lost; which ought to make us very at- 
tentive to .heir preservation, by carefully avoiding whatever may in 
the least prove injurious to them. As there is a very great affinity 
bel reea tfhre Wg&m of tasting and smelling, whatever hurts the one, 
generally aul-cL-. the other. 

L rsiiry is highly injurious to ihf so organs. When the nose and 
palate are frequently stimulated by fragrant and poignant dishes, they 
Sbo i lose dip power of distinguishing tastes and odours with any degree 
of nicety, Man; in a state of nature, may perhaps have these faculties 
a.' acute as any oth< r animal. 

The sense of smelling may be diminished or destroyed by diseases; 
as, the moisture, dryness, inflammation or suppuration of that meat* 
i. ide of the nose, commonly called die olfactory 
membrane; the compression of the nerves which supply this mem- 
brane, or some fault in the brain itself at their origin. A defect or too 
great a i idity, of the small spungy boi.es of the upper jaw, 

:js of the forehead, &c. may likewise impair the sense of smcll- 
ij.t- it may also be injured by a collection of foetid matter in those 
caverns, which keeps constantly exhaling from them. Few things are 
more hurtful to the sense of smelling, thau taking great quantities of 
snuff. 

When the noss abounds with moisture, after gentle evacuations, such 
things as tend to take off irritation, and coagulate the thin sharp serum, 
may be applied ; as the oil of anise mixed with tine flour; camphire 
dissolved in oil of almonds, Sic. The vapours of amber ; frankin- 
cense, gum mastic, and benjamin, may likewiie be received into the 
nose and mouth. 

For moistening the mucus w 7 hen it is too dry, some recommend snuff 
marie of the leaves of marjoram, mixed with the oil of amber, marjoram 
and aniseed ; or a sternutatory of calcined white vitriol.; twelve grains of 
-which may be mixed with two ounces of marjoram- water, and filtrated. 
The steam ov vapour of vinegar upon hot iron received up the nostrils 
is likewise of use for softening the mucus, opening obstructions, &c. 

If there is au ulcer in the nose, it ought to be dressed with some 
emollient ointment, to which if the pain be very great, a little lauda- 
num may be added. If it be a venereal ulcer, it is rot to be cured 
■without mercury. In that case, the solution of the corrosive sublimate 
in brandy may be taken, as directed in the gutta serena. The ulcer 
ought likewise to be washed with it; and the fumes of cinnabar may be 
received up the nostrils. 



of the touch. ait 

If there be reason to suspect that the nerves which supply the organs 
'tof smelling are inert, or want stimulating, volatile salts, strong snuffs* 
and other things wnich occasion sneezing, may be applied to the nose. 
9Phe forehead may likewise be annointed with balsam of Peru, to which 
may be added, a little of the oil oi amber. 

S e taste amy be diminished by crusts, filth, mucus, aphthae, pelicles, 
foarts, cfrc. covering the tongue; it may be depraved by a fault of the 
saliva, which being discharged into the mouth, gives the same sensa- 
tions as if the food which the person takes had real!}' a bad taste; or it 
may be entirely destroyed by injuries done to the -nerves of the tongue 
and palate. Few things prove more hurtful either to the sense of last- 
ing or smelling than obstinate colds, especially those which affect the 
head. 

When the taste is diminished by filth, mucus, &c. the tongue ought 
to be, scraped and frequently washed with a mixture of water, vinegar, 
and honey or some other detergent. When the saliva is vitiated, which 
seldom happens unless in fevers or other diseases, the curing of the dis- 
order is the cure of this symptom. To relieve it however in the mean 
time, the following things may be of use; if there be a bitter taste, it 
may be taken away by vomits, purges, and other things which evacuate 
bile. What is called a uidorous taste, arising from putrid humours, is 
corrected by the juice of citrons, oranges, and other acids. A salt 
taste is cured by plentiful dilution with watery liquors. An acid taste 
i3 destroyed by absorbents, and alkaline salts, as powder of oyster- 
shells, salt of wormwood, &c. 

When the sensibility of the nerves which supply the organs of taste 
is diminished, the chewing of horse-radish, or other stimulating sub- 
stance, will help to recover it. 

OF THE TOUCH. 

THE sense of touching may be hurt by any thing that obstructs the 
nervous influence, or prevents its being regularly conveyed to the or- 
gans of touching; as pressure, extreme cold, &c. It may likewise be 
hurt by too great a degree of sensibility, when the nerve is not sufficient- 
ly covered by the cuticle or scarf-skin, or where there is too great a 
tension of it, or it is too delicate. - Whatever disorders the functions of 
the brain and nerves, hurts the sense of touching. Hence it appears 
to proceed from the same general causes as palsy and apoplexy, and 
requires nearly the same method of treatment. 

In a stupor, or defect of touching, which arises from an obstruction 
of the cutaneous nerves, the patient must first be purged; afterwards 
such medicines as excite the action of the nerves, or stimulate the sys- 
'tem, may be used. For this purpose, the spirit of hartshoru, sal vola- 
tile oleosum, horse-radish, &c. may be taken inwardly; the disordered 
parts, at the same time, be frequently rubbed with fresh nettles ov spi- 



OF A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER. 

lit of sal ammoniac. Blistering plasters and sinapisms applied to (tit 

j>arts will likewise be of use, as also warm bathing, especially in the 
-natural hot baths. 



CHAPTER XL VI. 

OF A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER. 

ASCI R RHUS is a hard indolent tumour usually seated in some 
of the glands; as the breasts, the aim-pits, &c. If the tumour 
bero ties Urge, unequal, of a livid, blackish, or leaden colour, and 
is attended with violent pain, it gets the name of an o cult cancer. 
When the ski.i is broken, and a sanies orichoio;ts matter of m; abomi- 
nable '"op'.'k! smell is discharged from the soie, it is called an open «f 
' oer. Persons after the age of forty five, particularly 

Women, and thdse who lead an indolent sedentary hie, are most subject 
to .his disease. 

CAUSES. — This disease is often owing to suppressed evacuations; 
hence it proves si frequently fatal to women of a gross habit, particu- 
larly old maids and widows, about the time when the menstrual flux 
ceases. It may likewise be occasioned by excessive fear, grief, anger, 
religious melancholy, or any of the depressing passions. Hence the 
unfortunate, (he choleric, and those persons who devote themselves to 
a religious life in convents or monasteries, are often afflicted with it. 
It may also be occasioned by the long continued use of food that is 
toe hard oi digestion, or of an acrid nature; by barrenness; indolence J 
celibacy; cold; blows; friction; pressure; or the like. Women of : 
ten suffer from the last of these by means of their stays, which squeeze 
and compress their breasts so as to occasion great mischief. Sometimes 
the disease is owing to an hereditary disposition. 

SYMPTOMS. — This disorder seems often very trifling at the be- 
ginning* A hard tnmour about the size of a hazle-nut, or perhaps 
small c. is generally the first symptom. This will often continue for a 
long time without seeming to increase or giving the patient great un- 
easiness; bnt ii the constitution be hurt, or the tumour irritated by 
pressure or improper treatment of any kind, it begins to extend itself 
towards the neighbouring parfs by pushing out a kind of roots or limbr. 
It then gets the name of cancer, from a fancied resemblance between 
abs and the claws of a crab. The colour of the skin begins to 
which is first red, afterwards purple, then bluish, livid, and at 
ck. The patient complains of heat, with a burning, gnawing, 
The tumour is very hard, rough, and unequal, with ? 



OF- A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER* 21 §, 

protuberance or rising in the middle; its size increases drily, - 
neighbouring veins become thick, knotty, and of a blackish colour 

The skiu at length gives way, and a thin sharp ichor, begins to Rom 
which corrodes the neighbouring parts till it forms a large unsrghUy 
ulcer More occult cancers arise, and communicate with die neigh- 
bouring gimtds. Th© paiu and stench become intolerable; the appe- 
tite frills ; thestrength, is exhausted bj acoi k, lever; 't last 
a violent hremonhage, or discharge of bloo.!, from some part ei the 
body., with fnintings, or convulsion fits, generally put an end to the 
Biiserabie patient's life. 

REGIMEN".— The diet ought to^be light, but nourishing— All 
strong liquors, and high seasoned or salted provisions, are to be avoid- 
ed. Fhe patient may take as much -'^: ■':■--■ ~~ ho «>^ n e a-ily b^arj 
and should use every method to dive*! the g y. 

All kinds of external injury are carefully to be guarded against, par- 
ticularly of the affected part, which ought to be defended from all 
pressure, and even from the external air, by covering it with fur or 
soft flannel. 

MEDICINE — This is one "of those diseases for which no certain 
remedy i? yet known. Its progress however may sometimes be retard- 
ed, and some of its most disagreeable symptoms mitigated, by proper 
applications One misfortune attending the disease is, that the unhap- 
py patient often conceals it too long. Were proper mesas used in due 
time, a can?er might often be cured ; but after ihe disorder has arrived 
at a certain height, it generally sets all medicine at defiance. 

When a scirrhus tumour is first discovered, the patient ought to ob- 
serve a proper regimen, and to take twice or thrice a-week a dose of 
the common purging mercurial pill. Some blood may also be let, and 
the part affected may ■ be gently rubbed twice a-day with a little of the 
mercurial ointment, and kept warm with fur or flannel. The food 
must be. light and a pint of the decoction of woods or sarsaparilla may 
be drank daily. I have sometimes discussed hard tumours, which had 
the appearance of beginning cancers., by a course of this kind. 

Should the tumour however not yield to this treatment, but, on the 
contrary, become larger and harder, it will be proper to extirpate it, 
either by the knife or caustic. Indeed, whenever this can be done 
with safety, the sooner it is done the better. It can answer no pur- 
pose to extirpate a cancer after the constitution is ruined, or the whole 
mass of humours are corrupted by it. This, however, is the common 
way, which makes the operation so seldom succeed. Few people will 
submit to the extirpation til! death stares them in the face; whereas, 
if it were done early, the patient's life would not be endangered by the 
operation, and it would generally prove a radical cure. 

When the cancer is so situated that it cannot be cut off, or if the pa- 
tient will not submit to the operation, such medicines as will mitigate 
#r relieve the most urgent symptoms, may be used. Dr. Home says. 



S20 OF A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER. 

that half a gram of the corrosive sublimate of mercury, dissolved in a 
proper quantity of brandy, aud taken night and morning; will often be 
of service iu cancers of the face and nose, lie likewise recommends 
an infusiou of the solatium or night shade, in cancers of the breasts. " 

But the medicine most in repute at present for this disease is hem- 
lock. Dr. Stork, physician at Vienna, has of late recommended the 
extract of this plant as very efficacious iu cancers of every kind. The. 
Doctor says, he has given some hundred weights of it without ever 
hurting any bodv, and often with manifest advantage. He advises the 
patient however to begin with very small doses, as two or *ii>ee grains, 
and to increase the dose gradually till some good eiFect be perceived, 
aud there to rest without further increase. — From two or three grain? 
at first, the Doctor says he has increased the dose to two '!*- -e. or four 
drachms a-day, and finds that such, doses may be continued for several 
■weeks without any bad consequences. 

The regimen which the Doctor recommends during U;e use o r the 
medicine, is to avoid farinaceous substances not fermented, and too 
acrid aromalics. He says, good wine will not be hurtful to those who 
are accustomed to it, nor a moderate use of acids; and adds, 
patient should live in a pure free air, and keep his mind as quiet and 
cheerful as possible. 

The Doctor does not pretend to fix the time in which a cancer may 
be resolved by the use of hemlock, but says he has given it for above 
two years in' large doses without any apparent benefit ; nevertheless 
the patient has been cured by persisting in the use of it for half a year 
longer. This is at least encouragemeut to give it a fair trial. Though 
we are far from thinking the hemlock merits those extravagaut enco- 
miums which the Doctor has bestowed upon it, yet in a disease which 
has so long baffled the boasted powers of medicine, we thiuk it ought 
always to be tried. 

The powder of hemlock is by some preferred to the extract. — They 
are both made of the fresh leaves, and may be used nearly in the same 
manner. Dr. Nicholson of Berwick, says, he gradually increased the 
dose of the powder from a few grains to half a drachm, and gave near 
four drachms of it in the day with remarkably good effects. The 
hemlock may also be used externally either as a poultice or fomenta- 
tion. The sore may likewise be kept clean by injecting daily a strong 
decoction of the lops aud leaves into it. 

Few things contribute more to the healing of foul sordid ulcers of any 
kind than keeping them thoroughly clean. This ought never to be 
neglected. The. best application for this purpose seems to be the car- 
rot poultice. The root of the common carrot may be grated, and 
moistened with as much water as will bring it to the consistence of a 
poultice or cataplasm. This must be applied to the sore, aud renewed 
twice a-day. It geuerally cleans the sore, eases the pain, aud takes 



OF. A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER. 321 

away the disagreeable smell, which are objects of no small importance 
an such a dreadful disorder.* 

' Wort, or an infusion of malt, has been recommended not only as a 
proper drink, but as a powerful medicine in this disease. It must be 
frequently made fresh, and the patient may take it at pleasure. Two, 
three, or even four English pints of it may be drank every day for a 
considerable time. Wo benefit can be expected from any medicine in 
this disease, unless it be persisted in for a long time. It is of too obsti- 
nate a nature to be soon removed ; and, when it admits of a cure at all, 
it must be brought about by inducing an almost total change of the hab- 
it, which must always be a work of time. Setons or issues in the neigh- 
bourhood of the cancer have sometimes good effects.! 

When all other medicines fail, recourse must be had to opium, as a 
kind of solace. This will not indeed cure the disease, but it will ease 
the patient's agony, and render life more tolerable while it continues. 

To avoid this dreadful disorder, people ought to use wholesome 
food ; to take sufficient exercise in the open air; to be as easy and 
cheerful as possible ; and carefully to guard against all blows, bruises, 
arid every kind of pressure upon the breasts, or other glandular parts/f; 

* London Medical Essays. 

f In a cancer which had set all medicines, and even surgery, at de- 
fiance, I lately saw remarkable effects from an obstinate perseverance 
in a course of antiseptics. I ordered the deep ulcers to be washed to 
the bottom by means of a syringe, twice or thrice a- day, either with 
an infusion of the bark, or a decoction of carrot, and that the patient 
should take four or five times a-day, a glass of good wine, with half a 
drachm of the best powdered bark in it. — The sores, after being wash- 
e 1, were likewise sprinkled with the same powder. When the paliect 
began this course, her death was daily expected. She continued it for 
a'oove two years with manifest advantage ; but being told by an emi- 
nent surgeon, that the bark would not cure a cancer, and that the sores 
ought not to be washed, she discontinued the practice, and died in a 
few weeks. This course was not expected to cure the cancer, but to 
prolong the patient's life, which it evidently did almost to a miracle. 

| As hemlock is the principal medicine recommended in this disease, 

we would have given some directions for the gathering and preparing 

of that plant; but as its different preparations are now kept in the 

shops, we think it much safer for people to get them there, with prop- 

ections for. using them. 

41 



*28 OF POISONS. 



CHAPTER XLVII 



OF < OISONS, 

EVERY person ought, in some measure, to be acquainted wilU 
the nature and cure of poisons. They are generally taken una- 
wares, and their effects are often so sudden and violent, as not to admit 
of delay, or allow time to procure the assistance of physicians Hap- 
pily indeed no great degree of medical knowledge is here necessary ; 
(he remedies for most poisons being generally at hand, or easily obtain- 
ed, and nothing but common prudence needful in the application of 
them. 

The vulgar notion that every poison is cured by some counter poi- 
son, as a specific, has done much hurt. People believe they can do 
nothing for ihe patient, unless they know the particular antidote to that 
kind of poison which he has taken. Whereas the cure of all poisons 
taken into the stomach, without exception, depends chiefly on discharg- 
ing them as soon as possible. 

There is no case w herein the indications of cure are more obvious. 
Poison is seldom long in the stomach before it occasions sickness, with 
an inclination to vomit. This shows plainly what ought to be done. 
.Indeed common sense dictates to every one, that, if any thins has 
been taken into the stomach which endanger? life, it ought immedi- 
ately to be discharged. "Were this, duly regarded, the. danger arising 
from poisons might generally be avoided. The method of prevention 
is obvious, nn<\ the means are in the hands of every one- 

We shall not take up the reader's time with a detail of the ridic- 
ulous notions which have prevailed among ignorant people in different 
ages with regard to poisons ; neither shall we mention the boasted anti- 
dotes which have been recommended either for preventing or obvi- 
ating their effects; but shall content ourselves with pointing out the 
poisons most common in thi? country, and the means of avoiding their 
dangerous consequences. 

Poisons either belong to the mineral, the vegetable, or the animal 
kingdom. 

Mineral poisons are commonly of an acrid or corrosive qualify; as 
arsenic, cobalt, the corrosive sublimate of mercury, &c. 

Those of the vegetable kind are generally of a narcotic or stupe* 
factive quality ; as poppy, hemlock, henbane, berries of the deadly 
night-shade, &c. 

Poisonous animals communicate their infection either by the bite or 
sting. This poison is very different from the former, aud only produ- 
ces its effects when received into the body by a wound. 



OF POISONS. Mi 

MINERAL POISONS.— Arsenic is the most common of this 
'slass ; and, as the whole of them are pretty similar both in their effects 
and method of cure, what is said with respect to it will be applicable 
to every other species of corrosive poison- 
When a person has taken arsenic, he soon perceives a burning heat, 
and a violent pricking pain in his stomach and bowels, with an intoler- 
able thirst, and an inclination to vomit. The tongue and throat feel 
rough and dry ; and, if proper means be not soon administered, the 
patient is seized with great anxiety, hickuping, faintiogs, and coldness 
of the extremities. To these succeed black vomits, foetid stools, with 
a mortification of the stomach and intestines, which are the immediate 
forerunners of death. 

On the first appearance of these symptoms the patient should drink 
large quantities of new milk and salad oil till he vomits ; or he may 
drink warm water mixed with oil. Fat broths are likewise proper, 
provided they can be got ready in time. Where no oil is to be had 
fresh butter may be melted and mixed with the miik or water. 
These things are to be drank as long as the inclination to vomit con- 
tinues. Some have drank eight or ten English quarts before the vom- 
iting ceased ; and it is never safe to leave off drinking while one par- 
ticle of the poison remains in the stomach. 

These oily or fat substances not only provoke vomiting, but likewise 
blunt the acrimony of the poison, arid prevents its wounding the bowels; 
but if they shoidd not make the person vomit, half a drachm or two scru- 
ples of the powder of ipecacuanha must be given, or a few spoonsful of 
the oxymel, or vinegar of squills may be mixed with the water which 
he drinks. Vomiting may likewise be excited by tickling the inside 
of the throat with a feather. Should these methods however fail, half 
a drachm of white vitriol, or five or six grains of emetic tartar, must 
be administered. 

If tormenting pains are felt in the lower belly, and there is reason to 
fear that the poison has got down to the intestines, clysters of milk 
and oil must be very frequently thrown up ; and the patient must drink 
emollient decoctions of barley, oat-meal, marsh-mallows, and such like. 
He must likewise take an infusion of senna and manna, a solution of 
Glauber's salts, or some other purgative. 

After the poison has been evacuated, the patient ought for some 
time, to live upon such things as are of a healing and cooling quality ; 
to abstain from flesh and all strong liquors, and to live upon milk, 
broth, gruel, light puddings, and other spoon-meats of easy digestion. 
His drink should be barley- water, linseed-tea, or infusions of any of 
the wild mucilaginous vegetables, 

VEGETABLE POISONS, besides heat and pain of the stomach, 
commonly occasion some degree of giddiness, and often a kind of stu- 
pidity or folly. Persons who have taken these poisons mast be treated 
$a the same manner as for the mineral or corrosive. 



DISEASES OF WOMEN. 

Though the vegetable poisons, when allowed to remain in the stom- 
ach, often prove fatal, yet the danger is generally over as soon as they 
are discharged. Not being of such a caustic or corrosive nature, they are 
less apt to wound or inflame the bowels than the mineral substances; 
no time, however, ought to be lost in having them discharged. 

Opium, being frequently taken by mistake, merits particular atten- 
tion It is use! as a medicine both in a solid and liquid form, which 
lat'ev commonly goes by the name of laudanum. It is indeed a valua- 
ble medicine .vnen taken in proper quantity; but as an overdose 
proves a strong poison, we shall point out its commou effects, together 
with the method of cure. 

An over-dose of opium generally occasions great drowsiness, with 
stupor and other apopl ciic symptoms. Sometimes the person has so 
g-eat an inclination to sleep, that it is almost impossiole to keep him 
awake. Every method must however be tried for this purpose. He 
should be tossed, shaked and moved about. Sharp blistering-plasters 
should be applied to his legs or arms, and stimulating medicines, as 
salts of hartshorn, &c. held under his no^e. It will also be proper to 
let blood. At the sime fime every method must be taken to make him 
discharge the poison. This may be done in the manner directed above, 
viz by the use of strong vomits, driuking plenty of warm water with 
oil, &c 

Mead, beside- s vomits, in this case, recommends acid jr.edicines with 
lixivial salts. He says, that he has often given salt of worm-wood mix- 
ed with juice of lemon in repeated doges with great success. 

If the body should remain weak and languid after the poison has 
been extracted, nourishing diet and cordials will be proper ; but when 
there is reason to fear that the stomach or bowels are inflamed, the 
greatest circumspection is necessary both with regard to food and 
medicine. 



CHAPTER XLVIII; 



DISEASES OF WOMEN. 

W r OMEN in all civilized nations, have the management of domes* 
tic affairs, and it is very proper they should, as Nature has 
made them less fit for the more active and laborious employments. 
This indulgence, however, is generally carried too far; and females, 
instead of being benefited by it, are greatly injured from the want of 
exercise and free air. To be satisfied of this, one need only compare 
the fresh and ruddy looks of a milk-maid, with the pale complexion of 



OF THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE, $25 

(hose females whose whole time is spent within doors. Though Na- 
ture has made an evident distinction between the mate and temale with 
regard to bodily strength and vigour, yet she certainly never meant, 
either that the one should be always without, or the other always with- 
in doors. 

The confinement of females, besides hurting their figure and com- 
plexion, relaxes their solids, weakens their minds, and disorders all the 
functions of the body. Hence proceed obstructions, indigestion, flat- 
ulence, abortions, and the whole train of nervous disorders. These 
not only unfit women for being mothers and nurses, but often render 
them whimsical and ridiculous. A sound mind depends so much upoa 
a healthy body, that where the latter is wanting, the former is rarely 
to be fou: do 

I have always observed that women who were chiefly employed 
without doors, in the different branches of husbandry, gardening and 
the like, were almost as hardy as their husbands, and that their chil- 
dren were likewise healthy. But as the bad effects of confinement and 
inactivity upon both sexes have been already shown, we shall proceed 
to point out those circumstances in the structure and desiguof females, 
which subject them to peculiar diseases ; the 'chief of which are their 
monthly evacuations, pregnancy and child bearing. These indeed 
cannot properly be called diseases, but, from the delicacy of the sex, 
and their being often improperly managed in such situations, they be- 
come the source of numerous calamities. 

OF THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE. 

FEMALES generally begin to menstruate about the age of fifteen, 
and leave it off about fifty, which renders these two periods the most 
critical of their lives. About the first appearance of this discharge, 
the constitution undergoes a very Considerable change, generally in- 
deed for the better, though sometimes for the worse. The greatest 
care is now necessary, as the future health and happiness of the female 
depends in a great measure upon her conduct at this period.* 



* It is the duty of mothers, and those who are intrusted with the 
education of girls, to instruct them early in the conduct and manage- 
ment of themselves at this critical period of their lives. False modes- 
ty, inattention, and ignorance of what is beneficial or hurtful at this 
time, are the sources of many diseases and misfortunes in life, which a 
few sensible lessons from an experienced matron might have prevented. 
JN"or is care less necessary in the subsequent returns of this discharge. 
Takiog improper food, violent affections of the mind, or catching cold 
at this period, is often sufficient to ruin the health, or to render the fe- 
male ever after incapable of procreation. 



32"3 OF THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE. 

If a girl about (his lime of life be confined to the house, kept >?o8* 
stantly sitting, and neither allowed to romp about, nor employed in any* 
active business, which gives exercise to the whole body, she becomes 
weak, relaxed, and puny; her blood not being duly preparer.', ehe 
looks pale and wan ; her health, spirits, and vigour decline, and she 
sinks into a valetudinarian for life. Such is the fate of numbers of those 
unhappy females, who, either from too much indulgence, or their own 
narrow circumstances, are, at this critical period, denied the benefit of 
exercise ami Wet air, 

A lazy indolent disposition proves likewise Very hurtful to girls at 
this period. One seldom meets with complaints from obstructions among 
the more active and industrious part of the sex; whereas the indolent 
and lazy are seldom free from them. These are in a manner eateu 
up by the chlorosis, or greeu sickness, and other disease? of this na- 
ture. We would therefore recommend it to all who wish to escape 
these calamities, to avoid indolence and inactivity', as their greatest 
enemies, aud to be as much abroad in the opeu air as possible. 

Another thing which proves very hurtful to girls about this period 
of life, is unwholesome food. Fond of all manner of trash, they often 
indulge in it, till their whole humours are quite vitiated. Hence en- 
sue indigestions, wa it of appetite, and a numerous train of evils. If 
the fluids be not duty prepared, it is utterly impossible that the secre- 
tions should go properly on. Accordingly we find that such girls as 
lead an indolent life, and eat great quanti ies of trash, are not only sub- 
ject to obstructions of the menses, but likewise to glandular obstruct- 
ions; as the scrophvla, or king's evil, &c. 

A dull disposition is also very hurtful to girls at this period. It is 
a rare thing to see a sprightly girl who does not enjoy good health, 
while the grave, moping, melancholy creature, proves the very prey 
of vapours and hysterics. Youth is the season for mirth and cheerful- 
ness. Let it therefore be iudulged. It is an absolute dnh To lay 
in a stock of health in time of youth, is as necessary a piece of pru- 
dence, as to make provision against the decays of old age. — While 
therefore, wise Nature prompts the happy youth to join 5:i sprightly 
amusements, let not the severe dictates of hoary age forbid the useful 
impulse, nor damp, with serious gloom, the season destined to mirth 
and innocent festivity. 

Another thing very hurtful to females about this period of life, is 
straight clothes. They are fond of a fine shape, and foolishly imagine 
that this can be acquired by lacing themselves tight. — Hence, by squee- 
zing the stomach and bowels, they hurt the digestion, aud occasion 
many incurable maladies. This error is not indeed so common as it 
has been ; but. as fas! inns change, it may come about again: we there- 
fore think it not improper to mention it. I know many females, who, 
to this day, feel the direful effects of that wretched custom which pre- 
vailed some years ago, of squeezing every girl into as small a size in 



m THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE, 32$ 

'*he middle as possible. Human invention could not possibly have de-, 
fised a pracuce more destructive to health. 

After a female has arrived at that period of life when the menses 
usually begin to flow, and they do not appear, but, on the contrary, 
h£; netdth ami spirits begin to decline, we would advise, instead of 
shuUing (tie poor girl up in the house, and dosing her with steel, asafce- 
tida, and other ;museous drugs, to place her in a situation where she 
car.' enjoy the benefit of fresh air and agreeable company. There let 
her eat wholesome food, take sufficient exercise, and amuse herself in 
the most agreeable manner ; and we have little reason to fear, but Na- 
ture, thus assisted, will do her proper work. — Indeed she seldom fails, 
unlo.T where the fault is on our side. 

This discharge in the beginning is seldom so instantaneous as to sur- 
prise females unawares. It is generally preceded by symptoms which 
foreiel its approach ; as a sense of heat, weight, and dull pain in the 
loins; distention and hardness of the breasts ; head- ache ; loss of appe- 
tite; lassitude; paleness of the countenance; and sometimes a flight 
degree of fever. When these symptoms appear about the age at which 
the menstrual flux usually begins, every thing should be carefully 
avoided which may obstruct that necessary and salutary evacuation ; 
anci all means used to promote it ; as sitting frequently over the steams 
of warm water, drinking warm diluting liquors, &c. 

After the menses have once begun to flow, the greatest care should 
be takeq to avoid every thing that may tend to obstruct them. Females 
ought to be exceeding cautious of what they eat or drink at the time 
they are out of order. Every thing that is cold, or apt to sour on the 
stomach, ought to be avoided; as fruit, butter- milk, and suchlike. 
Fish, and all kinds of food that are hard of digestion, are also to be 
avoided. As it is impossible to mention everything that may disa- 
gree with individuals at this time* we would recommend it to every 
female to be very attentive to what disagrees with herself, and care- 
fully to avoid it. 

Cold is extremely hurtful at this particular period. More of the 
sex date their diseases from colds, caught while they are ought of or- 
der, than from all other causes. This ought surely to put them upon 
their guard, and to make them very circumspect in their conduct at 
such times. A degree of cold that will not in the least hurt them at 
another time, will at this period be sufficient entirely to ruin their health 
and constitution i 

The greatest attention ought likewise to be paid to the mind, which 
should be kept as easy and cheerful as possible. Every pa; t of the an- 
imal economy is influenced by the passions, but none more so than 
this. Anger, fear, grief, and other affections of rlie mind.often occasion 
obstructions of the menstrual flux, which prove absolutely incurable. 

From whatever cause this flux is obstructed, except in the stale of 
pregnancy, proper means should be used to restore it. For this pur- 



?& OF THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE. 

pose we would recommend sufficient exercise in a dry, open, and rath- 
er cool air ; wholesome diet, and. if the body be weak and languid, 
generous liquors ; also cheerful company and ail manner of amufeenientsj 
If these fail recourse must be had to medicine. 

When obstruction proceed from a weak relaxed state of the solids, 
such medicines as tend to promote digestion, to brace the solids, 
and assist the body in preparing good blood, ought to be used. The 
principle of these are iron and die Peruvian bark, with other bitter 
and astringent medicines. Filings of irou may be infused in wine or 
ale, two or three ouuces to an English quart, and after it has stood for 
two or three weeks it may be filtered, and about half a wine glass of 
it taken twice a-day ; or prepared steel may be takeu in the dose of 
half a drachm, mixed with a little honey or treacle, three or four limes 
a-day. The bark and other bitters may either be taken in substance 
or infusion, as is most agreeable to the patient 

When obstructions proceed from a viscid state of the blood ; or from 
■women of a gross or fall habit, evacuations, and such medicines as at- 
tenuate the humours are necessary. The patient in this case ought to 
be bled, to bathe her feet frequently in warm water, to take now and 
then a cooling purge, and to live upon a spare thin diet. Her drink 
should be whey, water, or small beer ; and she ought to take sufficient 
exercise. A tea spoonful of the tincture of black hellebore raaj also 
be taken twice a-day in a cup of warm water. 

When obstructions proceed from affections of the mind, as grief, 
fear, anger, &c. every method should- be takeu to amuse aud divert 
the patient. And (bat she may the more readily forget the cause of 
her affliction, she ought, if possible, to be removed from the place 
where it happened. A change of place, by presenting the mind with a 
variety of new objects, has often a very happy influence in relieving 
it from the deepest distress A soothing, kind, and affable behaviour 
to females in this situation, is also of the first importance 

An obstruction of the menses is often the effect of other maladies. 
When this is the case, instead of giving medicines to force that discharge, 
which might be dangerous, we ought by all means to endeavour to re- 
store the patient's health aud strength. When that is effected, the other 
will return of course. 

But the menstrual flux may be too great as well as too small. When 
this happens, the patient becomes weak, the colour pale, the appetite 
and digestion arc bad, and cedematous swellings of the feet, dropsies 
and consumptions often ensue. This frequently happens to women 
about the age- of forty five or fifty, aud is very difficult to cure. Jt 
may proceed from a sedentaiy life; a full diet, consisting chiefly di 
salted, high-seasoned, or acrid food, the use of spirituous liquo 
cessive fatigue ; relaxation ; a dissolved state of the blood ; violent- 
passions of the mind, &c. 



®F THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE. 32fli 

The treatment of this disease must be varied according to its cause 
When it is occasioned by any error in the patient's regimen, an oppo- 
site course to that which induced the disorder must be pursued, and 
such medicines taken as have a tendency to restrain the flux, and coun- 
teract the morbid affections of the system from whence it proceeds. 

To restrain the flux, the patient should be kept quiet arid easy both 
m body and miud. If it be very violent, she ought to lie in bed, with 
her head low ; to live upon ai cool and slender diet, as veal or chicken 
broths with bread ; and to drink decoctions of aettle roots, or the 
greater comfrey. If these be not sufficient to stop the flux, stionger 
astringents may be used, as Japan earth, alum, elixir of vitriol, the 
Peruvian bark, &c* 

The uterine flux may offend in quality as well as in quantity. 
What is usually called the fiour albus, or whites, is a very common 
disease, and proves extremely hurtful to delicate women. This dis- 
charge, however, is not always white, but sometimes pale, yellow, 
green, or of a blackish colour ; sometimes it is sharp and corrosive, 
sometimes foul and foetid, &c. It is attended with a pale complexion* 
pain in the back, loss of appetite, swelling of the feet, and other signs 
of debility. It generally proceeds from a. relaxed state of the body, 
arising from indolence, the excessive use of tea, coffee, or other weak 
and watery diet. 

To remove this disease, the patient must take as much exercise as 
ghe can bear without fatigue. Her food should be solid and nourish- 
ing, but of easy digestion ; and her drink rather generous, as red port 
or claret mixed with Pyrmont, Bristol, or liaie- water . Tea and cof- 
fee are to be avoided. I have often known strong broths have an ex- 
ceeding good effect, and sometimes a milk diet alone will perform a 
cure. The patient ought not to lie too long a bed. When medicine 
is necessary, we know none preferable to the Peruvian bark, which in 
this case ought always to be taken in substance. In warm weather the 
cold bath will be of considerable service. 

That period of life at which the menses cease to flow, is likewise very 
critical to the sex. The stoppage of any customary evacuation, how- 
ever small, is sufficient to disorder the whole frame, and often to des- 
troy life itself, |Ience it comes to pass, that sp many women either 

* Two drachms of alum and one of Japan earth may be pounded 
together, and divided into eight or nine doses, one of which may be 
taken three times a-day. 

Persons whose stomachs cannot bear the alum may take two table- 
spoonsful of the tincture of roses three or four times a-day, to each 
dose of which ten drops of laudanum may be added. 

If these should fail, half a drachm of the Peruvian bark, in powder, 
with ten (hops of the elixir of vitriol may be taken in a glass of red 
E'jtie, four times a-day 1 . 

42 



$S» OF PREGNANCY. 

fall into chronic disorders, or die about this time. — Such of them, how- 
ever, as survive it, without contracting any chronic disease, often be- 
come more healthy and hardy ihan they were before, and enjoy 
strength and vigour to a very great age. 

If the menses cease all A a sudden in women of a full habit, they 
ought to abate somewhat of their usual quantity of food, especially of 
the more nourishing kind, as flesh, eggs, &c. They ought likewise to 
take sufficient exercise, and to keep the body open. This may bo 
done by taking, once or twice a- week, a little rhubarb, or an infusion 
of hiera picra iu win* 1 or brandy. 

It often happens that women of a gross habit, at this period of life, 
have ulcerous sores break out about their ancles, or in other parts of 
the body. Such ulcers ought to be considered as critical, and should 
either be Suffered to continue open, or have artificial drains fcubstituted 
iu their stead. Women who will have such sores dried up, aie often 
soon after carried off by acute diseases, or fail into those of a chronic 
nature. 

OF I'REGNAN Y. 

THOUGH pregnancy is uot a disease, yet that state is oftpn at- 
tended with a variety of complaints which merit attention, and which 
sometimes require the assistance of medicine. Some women indeed 
are more healthy during their preguancv than at any other time; but 
this is by no means the general case: most of them breed iu sorrow, 
and are frequently indisposed during the whole time of pregnancy. 
Few fatal diseases, however, happen during that period; and hardly 
any except abortiou, that can be called dangerous. We shall there- 
fore pay particular attention to it, as it pioves generally fatal to the 
child, and sometimes to tiie mother. 

Pregnant women are often afflicted wi'h the heart-burn. — The meth- 
od of treating thi* complaint has been already pointed out. They are 
likewise in ihe mure early peiiods of pregnancy, often harrassed with 
sickness and vomiiing, especially in the morning. The method of re- 
lieving these complaints has also been shown, lioth the head ache and 
tooth ache are very troublesome symptoms of pregnancy. The for- 
mer may generall) be removed by keeping the body gently open, by 
the use of prunes, figs, roasted apples, and such like. When the paiu 
is very violent, bleeding may be necessary. For the treatment of the 
latter, we must refer to that article. Several other complaints incident 
to pregnant women might be mentioned, as a cough and difficulty of 
breathing, suppression and incontinency of urine, &c. but as all of 
these have been taken notice of before, it is needless to repeat them. 

Every pregnant woman is more or less in danger oi abortion. . This 
should be guarded against with the greatest care, as it not only Weak- 
eps the constitution, but renders the Avomau liable to the ^rae a 



OF PREGNANCY. 381 

f&ne afterwards.* Abortion may happen at any period of pregnancy, 
font it is most common in the second or third month. — Sometimes, how- 
ever, it happens in the fourth or fifth, It it happens within the first 
month it is usually called a false conception; if after the seventh 
month, the child may often be kept alive by proper care. 

The common causes of abortion are, the death of the child; weak- 
ness or relaxation of the mother ; great evacuations ; violent exercise ; 
raising great weights ; reaching too high ; jumping or stepping from, 
an eminence; vomiting; coughing; convulsion fits; blows on the bel- 
ly; falls; fevers; disagreeable smells; excess of blood; indolence; 
high living, or the contrary ; violent passions or affections of the mind, 
as fear, grief, &c 

The signs of approaching abortion are, pain in the loins, or about 
the bottom of the belly; a dull heavy pain in the inside of the tiiigii ; 
a slight degree of coldness, or shivering ; sickness, palpitation of the 
heart ; the breasts become flat and soft; the belty falls ; and there is a, 
discharge of blood or watery humours from the womb. 

To prevent abortion, we would advise women of a weak or relaxed 
habit to use solid food, avoiding great quantities of tea, and other weak 
and watery liquors; to rise early and go soon to bed ; to shun damp 
houses; to take frequent exercise in the open air, but to avoid fatigue* 
and never to go abroad in damp foggy weather, if they can shun it. 

Women of a full habit ought io use a spare diet, avoiding strong li- 
quors, and every thing that may tend to heat the body, or increase the 
quantity of blood. Their diet should be of an opening nature, consist- 
ing principally of vegetable substances. Every woman with child 
ought to be kept cheerful and easy in her mind. Her appetites, even 
though depraved, ought to be indulged as far as prudence will permit. 

When any signs of abortion appear, the woman ought to be laid in 
bed on a mattress, with her head low. She should be kept qui- 
et, and her mind so6thed and comforted She ought not to be kept 
too hot, nor to take any thing of a heating nature. Her food should 
consist of broths, rice and milk, jellies, gruels made of oat-mtal and 
the like, all of which ought to be taken cold. 

If she be able to bear it, she should lose at least half a pound of 
Wood from the arm. Her drink ought to be barley water sharpened 
with juice of lemon; or she may take half a drachm of powdered 

* Every mother who procures an abortion does it at the hazard of 
Aer life; yet there are not a few who run this risk merely to prevent 
the trouble of bearing and briuging up children. It is surely a most 
unnatural crime, and cannot, even in the most abandoned, be viewed 
without horror; but in the decent matron, it is still more unpardonable. 
Those wretches who daily advertise their assistance to women in this 
lousiness, deserve, in my opinion, the mast severe of all human punish* 
meats. 



532 OF CHILD-BIRTH. 

aitre, io a cup of water-gruel, every Ave or six hours. If the womaii 
be seized with a violent looseness, she ought to drink the decociion of 
calcined hartshorn prepared. If she be allected^witb vomiting, let her 
take frequently two table spoonsful of the salioe mixture. In general, 
opiates are of service ; bin they should always be given with caution. 

SaDguine robust women, who are liable to miscarry at a certain 
time of pregnancy, ought always to be bled a few days before that pe- 
riod arrives. E> this means, and observing the regimen above pre- 
scribed, they might often escape that misfortune. 

Though we recommend due care for preventing abortion, we would 
Dot be understood as restraining pregnant women from their usual exer- 
cises. This would generally operate a quite contrary way. Want of 
exercise not only relaxes ttie body, but induces a plethora, or too 
great a fulness of the vessels, which are the two piincipal causes of 
abortion. There are. however, some women of so delicate a 'exture, 
that it is oecessaiy for them to avoid almost every kind of exercise 
during the whole period of pregnancy. 

OF CHILD-BIRTH. 

MANY diseases proceed from the want of due care in child-bed ; 
and the more hard) part of the sex are most apt to despise the necessa- 
ry precautions iu this state. This is peculiarly the case with )oung 
■wives. They think, when the labour-pains are ended, the danger is 
over; but in truth it may only then be said to bp begun. Nature, if 
left to herself, will seldom fail to expel ihefcrius; but proper care aud 
wiauagement are certainly necessary for the recovery of the mother. 
No doubt mischief may be done by too much as well as by too little 
care, tieuce females Mho have the greatest number of attendants in 
child-bed general!) recover worst. But this is not peculiar to the state 
of child l>ed. Excessive care always defeats its own intention, and is 
genera ly more dangerous than none at all * 



* Though the management of women in child-bed has been practised 
as an employment siuce the earliest accounts of time ; 5 et it is still in 
most countries on a very bad footing —Few women think of following 
this employment till they are reduced to the necessity of doing it for 
bread- Hence not one in an hundred of them have any education, Or 
proper knowledge of their business. It is true, that Nature, if left to 
herself, will generally expel the icetus ; but it is equally true, that 
most women in childbed require to be managed with skill and atten- 
tion, and that they are often hurt by the superstitious prejudices of ig- 
norant and officious midwives. The mischief done in this way is much 
greater than is generally imagined ; most of which might be prevented 
by allowing no woman to practice midwifery, but such as are properly 
qualified. Were due attention paid to this, it would not oBly be the 



'OF CHILI)-BIRm. :m 

'During actual labour, nothing of a heating nature ought to be given. 
The woman may now and then take a little panada, and her drink 
nought to be toast and water, or thin groat gruel. Spirits, wines, cordi- 
al waters, and ether things which are given with a vie% to strengthen 
the mother, and promote the birth, for the most part, tend only to in- 
crease the fever, inflame the womb, and retard the labour. Besides, 
they endanger the woman afterwards, as they often occasion violent 
and mortal haemorrhages, or dispose her to eruptive and other fevers. 

When the labour proves tedious and difficult, to prevent inflamma- 
tions, it will be proper to bleed An emollient clyster might likewise 
frequently to be administered ; and the patient should sit over the 
steams of warm water. The passage ought to be gently rubbed with a 
little soft pomatum or fresh better, and cloths wrung out of warm water 
applied over the belly. If nature seems to sink, and the womau is great- 
ly exhausted with fatigue, a draught of generous wine, or some other 
cordial, may be given, but not otherwise. These directions are suffi- 
cient in natural labours ; and in all preternatural cases, a skilful sur- 
geon, or man-midwife, ought to be called as soon as possible. 

After delivery, the woman ought to be kept as quiet and easy as 
possible.* Her food should be light and thin, as gruel, panada, &c and 
fier drink weak and diluting. To this rule, however, there are many 
exceptions. I have known several women, whose spirits could not be 
supported in child bed without solid food and generous liquors ; to such* 
a glass of wine and a bit of chicken must be allowed. 

Sometimes an excessive haemorrhage or flooding happens after de- 
livery. In this case the patient should belaid with her head low, kept 
cool, and be in all respects treated as for an excessive flux of the menses. 
If the flooding proves violent, linen cloths, which have been wrung 
out of a mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water, or red wine, 
should be applied to the belly, the loins, and the thighs : these must be 
changed as they grow dry ; and may be discontinued as soon as the 
flooding . abates, j 

means of saving many lives, but would prevent the necessity of em- 
ploying men in ihis indelicate and disagreeable branch of medicine, which 
is, on many other accounts, more proper for the other sex. 

* We cannot help taking notice of that ridiculous custom which still 
prevails in some parts of the country, of collecting a number of women, 
together upon such occasions. These, instead of being useful, serve 
only to crowd the house, arid obstruct the necessary attendants. Be- 
sides they hurt the patient With their noise : and often, bv their un- 
timely and impertinent advice, do much mischief. 

f In a violent flooding after delivery, I have seen very good effects 
from the following mixture : Take of penny-royal water, simple cinna- 
mon-water, and syrup of poppies, each two ounces, elixir of vitriol a 
drachm. Mix, and take two table- spoonsful every two hours, or often* 
tear* if necessary. 



334 6F CHILD-BIRTH. 

If there be violent pains after delivery, the patient ought to drink 
plentifully of warm diluting liquors, as gruel, or tea with a Utile saf- 
i ; and to take small oroths. with carrtway-seeds, or a bit of aa 
,,them ; an ounce of the oil of s.veet almonds may like- 
wise be : : a cup of any of the above liquors; and if 
the patie less, a spoonful of the syrup of poppies, m?y now 
and then be mix :d with a cup of her drink. II she be hot or fever- 
ish, Oiieof the following powders may be taken in a cup of her usual 
drink every five or s'x hours.:}; 

An inflammation of the wonib is a dangerous and not unfrequent dis- 
ease after delivery. It is knosvn by pams in the lower part of the bel- 
li are greatly increased upon toucl.i^ ; by the tentiou or tight- 
ness of the pws; great weakness; change of countenance; a constant 
fever, with a iveak and hard puise; a slight delirium or raving ; some- 
times incessant vomitkig; a bickup ; a discharge of reddish, stinkmg, 
sharp wa'er from the womb; an incliuatiou to go frequently to sluulj 
a heat, and sometimes total suppression of urine. 

This m ist b? treated like othei inflammatory disorders, by bleeding 
and plentiful dilution. The drink may be ihiu gruel or barley-water; 
in a cup of which half a drachm of nitre may be dissolved, and takea 
three or four times a-day. Clysters of warm milk and wafer must be 
frequently administered; and the belly should be fomented by cloths 
wrung out of warm water, or by applying bladders tilled with warm 
milk and water to it. 

A suppression of the lochia or usual discharges after delivery, and 
r, must be treated nearly in the same maimer as an iu- 
tte womb. In all these ca c es, the safest course is plen- 
tiful dilution, gentle evacua'ions i (Fected. 
In the milk fever, the ! rocated <'.ith a little warm 

p mai he applied to them. Tie 
be often put to the breast, or it should be drawu by some 
other person. 

Nothing would tend more to prevent the mill: fever fhau putting 
the child early to the brea-t. Tne cus'oni of uol trilowiug children 
to suck for the first two or thr»e <iP)s, is contrary to Nature and com- 
mon sense, and is very hurtful both to the mother and child. 

Every mother who has milk in her breasts, ought either to suckle 
her own child, or to have her breads frequently drawn, at least for the 

t Take of crabs' chws prepared half an ounce, purified nitre two 
drachms, safTYon powdered half a drachm: rub them together in a mor- 
tar, and divide the whole into ei^ht or nine doses. 

When the patient is low spirited, or troubled with hysterical com- 
phiuts, s he ought to Vxke frequently twelve or fifteen drops of the tint'- 
." assfcetida in a cup of penny- royal tea. 



OF CHILD-BIRTH. 

$ rst mouth. This would prevent many of the diseases which prove 
faia! to women in child, bed. 

When an inflammation happens in the breast, attended with redness, 
hardness, and other symptoms of suppuration, the safest, application, 
is a ^t/ultice of bread and milk, softened with oil or fresh butler. 
This may be renewed twice a day, till the tumour be either discussed, 
or brought to suppuration. The use of repellents, in this case, is very 
dangerous; they often occasion fevers, and sometimes; cancers; where- 
as a suppuration is seldom attended with any danger, and has often the 
jnoni salutary effects 

When the nipples are fretted or chapt, they may be anointed with a 
mixture of oil aud bees wax, or a Hale powdered gum arabic may be 
sprinkled on them. I have seen Hungary water applied to the nipple* 
have a very good effect. Should the complaint prove obstinate, a 
cooling purge may be given, which generally removes it. 

The miliary fever, is a disease incident to. women in child-bed ; but 
as it has b^eu treated of already, we shall take no further notice of it. 
The celebrated Hoffman observes, that this fever of child bed women 
plight generally be prevented, if they, during their pregnancy, were 
i-eg.iiar in their diet, used moderate exercise, took now and then a gen- 
tle laxative of manna, rhubarb, or cream of tartar ; not forgetting to> 
bleed in the first months, and to avoid all sharp air. When the labour 
js coming on, it is not to be hastened with forcing medicines, which in* 
fiame the blood and humours, or put them into unnatural commotions- 
Care should be taieu after the birth, ihat the natural excre*io;is pro- 
ceed regularly ; and if the pulse be quick, a little uitrous powder, or 
some other cooling medicines, should be administered. 

The most fatal disorder consequent upon delivery is the puerperal, or 
child-bed fever. It generally makes its attack upon the second or 
third day after delivery. Sometimes indeed it comes on sooner, and 
at other times, though rarely, it does not appear before the fifth or 
sixth day. 

It begins like most other fevers, with a cold or shivering fit, which 
is succeeded by restlessness, pain of the head, great sickness at the 
stomach, and bilious vomiting. The pulse is generally quick, the 
tongue dry,- aud there is a remarkable depression of spirits and loss of 
strength. A great pain is usually felt in the back, hips and region of 
the womb; a sudden chauge in the quantity or quality of the lochia 
also takes place; aud die patient is frequently troubled wirh a t:ne$~ 
Wins, or constant inclination to go to stool. The urine, which is very 
high coloured, is discharged in small quantity, and generally with pain. 
The belly sometimes swells to a considerable bulk, and becomes sus- 
ceptible of pain from the slightest touch. When the fever has contin- 
ued for a few days, the symptoms of inflammatioa usually subside, and 
ihe disease acquires a more putrid form. At this period, if not soea- 



&SQ OF CHILD-BIRTH, 

er, a bilious or putrid looseness, of an obstinate and dangerous naiura, 
come» on, aud accompanies the disease through all its future progress. 

There is net aoy disease that requires to be treated with more skill 
aud attention than this; consequently the best assistance ought to be 
obtained as soon as possible. In women of plethoric constitutions, 
bleeding will generally be proper at the beginning ; it ought however 
to be used with caution, and not to be repeated unless where the sigus 
of inflammation rise high; in which case it will also be necessary to 
apply a blistering plaster to the region of the wamb. 

During the rigour, or cold fit, proper means should be used to abate 
its violence and shorten its duration. For this purpose the patienj 
may drink freely of warm diluting liquors, and, if low. may take now 
and then a cup of wine-whey ; warm applications to the extremities, as 
heated bricks, bottles or bladders filled with warm water, and such 
like, may also be used with advantage. 

Emollient clysters of milk and water, or of chicken water, ought to 
be frequently administered through the course of the disease. These 
prove beneficial by promoting a discharge from the intestines, and also 
by acting as a kindly fomentation to the womb and parts adjacent. 
Great care however is requisite in giving them, on account of the ten- 
derness of the parts in the pelvis at this time. 

To evacuate the offending bile frosa the stomach, a vomit is gener- 
ally given. But as this is apt to increase the irritability of the stom- 
ach, already too great, it will be safer to omit it, and to give in its 
stead a gentle laxative, which will both tend to cool the body, and to 
procure a free discharge of the bile* 

The medicine which I have always found to succeed best in this 
disease, is the saline draught. This, if frequently repeated, will often 
put a stop to the vomiting, and at the s :me time lessen the violence of 
the fever. If it runs off by stool, or if the patient be restless, a few 
drops of laudanum, or some syrup of poppies, may occasionally be 
added. 

If the stools should prove so frequent as to weaken and exhaust the 
patient, a starch clyster, with thirty or forty drops of laudanum in it, 
may be administered as occasion shall require; and the drink niay be 
rice-water, in every English pint of which half an ounce of gum-arabic 
has been dissolved Should these fail, recourse must be had to Co- 
lumbo-root, or some other strong astringent 

Though in general the food ought to be light, and the drink diluting, 
yet when the disease has been long protracted, and the patient is great- 

* Midwives ought to be very cautious in administering vomits ov 
purges to women in child-bed. I have known a woman who was re- 
covering extremely well, thrown into the most imminent danger by a 
strong purge which was given h«r by an officious midwife. 



OF BARRENNESS. 33? 

ly spent by evacuations, it will be necessary to support her with nour- 
ishing diet and generous cordials. 

It was observed that this fever, after continuing for some time, often 
acquires a putrid form. In this case the Peruvian bark must be giv- 
en, either by itself, or joined with cordials, as circumstances may re- 
quire. As the bark in substance will be apt to purge, it may be given 
in decoction or infusion mixed with the tincture of roses, or other gentle 
astringents ; or a scruple of the extract of bark with half an ounce of 
spirituous cinnamon- water, two ounces of common water, and ten drops 
of laudanum, may be made into a draught, and given every second, 
third, or fourth hour, as shall be found necessary. 

When the stomach will not bear any kind of nourishment, the pa- 
tient may be supported for some time by clysters of beaf-tea, or chick- 
in water. 

To avoid this fever, every woman in child-bed ought to be kept 
perfectly easy ; her food should be light and simple, and her bed- 
chamber cool, and properly ventilated. There is not any thing more 
hurtful to a woman in this situation than being kept too warm. She 
ought not to have her body bound too tight, nor to rise too soon from; 
bed after delivery ; catching cold is also to be avoided ; and a 
proper attention should be paid to cleanliness. 

To prevent the milk-fever, the breasts ought frequently to be drawn; 
and if they are filled previous to tho onset of a fever, they should, 
upon its first appearance, be drawn, to prevent the milk from becom- 
ing acrid, and its being absorbed in this state. Costiveness is likewise 
to be avoided. This will be best effected by the use of mild clysters 
and a laxative diet. 

We shall conclude our observations on child-bed women by recom- 
mending it to them, above all things, to beware of cold. — Poor women, 
whose circumstances oblige them to quit their bed too soon, often con- 
tract diseases from cold, of which they never recover. It is a pity 
the poor are not better takeu care of in this situation. 

But the better sort of women run the greatest hazard from too much 
heat. Thejrare generally kept in a sort of bagnio for the first eight 
or ten days, and then dressed out to see company. The danger of this 
conduct must be obvious to every one. 

The superstitious custom of obliging women to keep the house till 
they go to church, is likewise a very common cause of catching cold, 

All churches are damp, and most of them cold ; consequently they 
are the very worst places to which a woman can go to makie her first 
visit, after having been confined in a warm room for a month. 

OF BARRENNESS. 

BARRENNESS may be very properly reckoned among the dis- 
eases of females, as few married women who have not children enjoy a 
43 



338 OF BARRENNESS. 

•oorl state of health. It may proceed from various causes, as higfr 
Uving, grief, relaxation, &c. but it is chiefly owing to an obstruction or 
irregularity of the menstrual flux 

It is very certain that high living vitiates the humours, and prevents 
fecundity. We seldom find a barren woman among the labouring poor, 
while nothing is more common anions; the rich and affluent. The in- 
habitants of every country are prolific iu proportion to their poverty ; 
and it would be an easy matter to adduce maoy instances of women, 
■who, by being reduced to live entirely upon a milk and vegetable diet, 
have conceived and brought forth children, though they never had 
any before. Would the rich use the same sort of food and exercise as 
the better sort of peasants they would seldom have cause to envy 
their poor vassals and depeudaois, the blessing of a numerous and 
healthy offspring, while they pine in sorrow for the want of even a sm 
gle heir to their extensive domains. 

Affluence begets indolence, which not only vitiates the humours, but 
induces a general relaxation of the solids; a state highly unfavoura- 
ble to procreation. To remove this, we would recommend the follow- 
in" course ; First, sufficient exercise in the open air ; secondly, a diet 
consisting chiefly of milk and vegetables ; * thirdly, the use of astrin- 
gent medicines, as steel, alum, dragon's blood, elixir of vitriol, and the 
Spaw or Tunbridge waters, Peruvian bark, &c; and lastly, above all, 
the cold bath. 

Barrenness is often the consequence of grief, sudden fear, anxiety, 
or any of the passions which tend to obstruct the menstrual flux. When 
barrenness is suspected to proceed from affections of the mind the per- 
son ought to be kept as easy and cheerful as possible ; all disagreeable 
objects" are to be avoided, and every method taken to amuse and en- 
tertain the fancy. 



* Dr. Cheyne avers, that want of children is oftener the fault of the 
male than of the female, and strongly recommends a milk and vegeta- 
ble diet to the former as well ns the latter ; adding, that Ijs friend Dr. 
Taylor, whom he calls the Milk-doctor of Croydon, luuflbrought sun- 
dry opulent families in his neighbourhood, who had continued some 
years after marriage without progeny, to have several fine children, 
by keeping both parents for a considerable time, to a milk and vegeta? 
ble diet. 



DISEASES OF CHILDREN. 93* 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



DISEASES OF CHILDREN. 

MISERABLE indeed is the lot of man in the state of infancy i 
He comes into the world more helpless than any other animal, 
and stands much longer in need of the potection and care of his pa- 
rents; but, alas! this care is not always bestowed upon him; and when 
it is, he often suffers as much from improper management as he \vould 
have done from neglect. Hence the officious cave of parents, nurses, 
and mid wives, becomes one of the' most fruitful sources of the disorders 
of infants.* 

It must be obvious to every attentive person, that the first diseases 
of children arise chiefly from their bowels. Nor is this in the least to 
be wondered at, as they are in a manner poisoned with indigestible 
drugs and improper diet as soon as they come into the world. Every- 
thing that the stomach cannot digest may be considered as a poison; 
and unless it can be thrown up, or voided by stool, it must occasion 
sickness, gripes, spasmodic affections of the bowels, or what the good 
women call inward fits, and at last convulsions and death. 

As these symptoms evidently arise from somewhat that irritates the 
intestines, doubtless the proper method of cure must be to expel it as 
soon as possible. The most safe and effectual method of doing diis is 
by gentle vomits. -Five or six grains of the powder of ipecacuanha 
may be mixed in two table spoonsful of water, and sweetened with a 
little sugar. A tea-spoonful of this may be given to the infant every 
quarter of an hour till it operates ; or, what will more certainly answer 
the purpose, a grain of emetic tartar may be dissolved in three ounces 
of water, sweetened with a little syrup, and given as above. Those 
who are willing to use the emetic tartar, may give six or seven drops 

* Of the officious and ill-judged care of midwives, we shall adduce 
only one instance, viz. the common practice of torturing infants, by 
squeezing their breasts, to draw off the milk, as they call it. Though 
a small quantity of moisture is generally found in the breasts of infants, 
yet, as they are certainly not intended to give suck, this ought never 
to be drawn off. I have seen this cruel operation bring on hardness, 
inflammation and suppuration of the breast ; but never knew any ill 
consequences from its being omitted. When the breasts are hard, the 
only application that we would recommend, is a soft poultice, or a lit- 
tle of the diachylon plaster, spread thin upon a bit of soft leather, about 
the size of half a crown, and applied over each nipple. These may be 
suffered to continue till the hardness disappears* 



340 OF THE MECONIUM. 

of the antimouial wine, in a tea-spoonful of water or thin gruel. Small 
doses of the ipecacuanha wine will be found more gentle tliaa any 
of the above, aod ouglv to be preferred. 

These medicines will not only cleanse the stomach, but will general- 
ly likewise open the body. Should this however not happen, aud if 
the child be costive, some gentle purge will be uecessaiy : for this pur- 
pose, some manna and pulp of cassis may be dissolved in boiling wa- 
ter, and given in small quantities till it operates; or, what will answer 
rather better, a few graius of magnesia alba may be mixed in any 
kind of food that is given to the child, and continued till it has the de- 
sired effect. If these medicines be properly administered, and the 
child's belly and limbs frequently rubbed with a warm hand before the 
fire, they will seldom fail to relieve those affections of the stomach and 
bowel* f-om which infants suffer so much. 

These general directions include most of what can be done for re- 
lieving die internal disorders of infants. They will likewise go a con- 
siderable way in alleviating those which appear externally, as the rash, 
gum, ovj'dloyi, &c These, as was formerly observed, are principally 
owiug to too hot a regimen, and consequently will be most effectually 
Relieved by gentle evacuations. Indeed, evacuatious of one kind or 
other constitute a principal part of the medicine of infants, and will 
seldom, if administered with prudeuce, in anj of their diseases, fail to 
give relief. 

OF THE MECONIUM. 

THE stomach and bowels of a newborn infant are filled with a 
blackish coloured matter of the consistence of syrup, commonly called 
the meconium. Tim is generally passed soon after the birth, by the 
mere effort of nature; in which case it is not necessary to give the in- 
fant any kind of medicine But if it should be retained, or not suffi- 
ciently carried off a little manna or mag?icsia alba may be given as 
mentioned above; or, if these should not be at hand, a common spoon- 
ful of whey, sweetened with a little honey, or raw sugar, will answer 
the purpose. 

The most proper medicine for expelling the meconium is the mo- 
ther's milk, which is always at first of a purgative quality. Were 
children allowed to suck as soon as they show au inclination for the 
breast, 'hey would seldom have occasion for medicines to discharge 
the meconium ; but even where this is not allowed, they ought never 
to have daubs of syrup, oil, and other indigestible stuff, crammed down 
their throats. 

THE AFHTUM, OR THRUSH. 

THE aphthre are little whitish ulcers affectiug the whole inside of 
the mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach of infauts. Sometimes they 



OF ACIDITIES. 341 

reach through the whole intestinal canal; in which case they are very 
dangerous, arid often put an end to the iifant's life. 

if the aphthae are of a pale colour, pellucid, few in number, soft, 
superficial, and fall easily off, they are not dangerous ; but if opake, 
yellow, brown, black, thick, or running together, they ought to be 
dreaded. 

It is generally "thought that the aphthae owe their origin to acid hu- 
mours ; we have reasou however to believe, that they are more fre- 
quently owing to too hot a regimen both of the mother and child. It 
is a rare thing to find a child who is not dosed with wine, punch, cin- 
namon-waters, or some other hot and inflaming liquors, almost as soon 
as it is born. It is Weil known that these will occasion inflammatory 
disorders even in adults; is it any wonder then that they should heat 
and inflame the tender bodies of infants, and set as it were the whole 
constitution in a blaze ? 

The most proper medicines for the aphtha? are vomits, such as have 
been already recommended, and gentle laxatives. Five grains of 
rhubarb, and half a drachm of magnesia alba may be rubbed together, 
and divided into six doses, one of which may be given to the infant 
every four or five hours till they operate. These powders may either 
be given in the child's food, or a little of the syrup of pale roses, and 
may be repeated as often as is found necessary to keep the body open. 
It is common in this case to administer calomel ; but as that medicine 
sometimes occasions gripes, it ought always to be given to infants with 
caution. 

Many things have been recommended for gargling the mouth and 
throat in this disease ; but it is not easy to apply these in very young 
children ; we would therefore recommend it to the nurse to rub th» 
child's mouth frequently with a little borax and honey ; or with the 
following mixture ; Take fine honey an ounce, borax a drachm, burnt 
alum half a drachm, rose wafer two drachms; mix them together. A 
very proper application in this case, is a solution of ten or twelve 
grains of white vitriol in eight ounces of barley-water. These may be 
applied with the finger, or by means of a bit of soft rag tied to the end 
of a probe. 

OF ACIDITIES. 

THE food of children being for the most part of an acescent nature, 
it readily turns sour upon the stomach, especially if the body be any 
way disordered. Hence most diseases of children are accompanied 
with evident signs of acidity, as green stools, gripes, &c. These ap- 
pearances have induced many to believe, that all the diseases of chil- 
dren were owing to an acid abounding in the stomach and bowels ; 
but whoever considers the matter attentively, will find that these 
symptoms of acidity are oftener the effect than the cause of their dis- 
eases. 



342 GALLING AND EXCORIATION. 

Ka'ure evidently.intended that the food of children should be aces* 
cent; an 1 unless the bod_> be disordered, or the digestion hurt, from 
some other cause, we will venture to say, that the acescent quali'y of 
their food is seldom injurious to them \cidity, however, is often a 
symptom of disorders in children, and, as it is sometimes a troublesome 
one, we shall point out the method of relieving it. 

; greet] stools, gripes, pnrgiugs, sour smells, <fcc. show that the 
bowels abound with an acid, let the child have a little small broth, with 
light whi'e bread in it; and it shouid have sufficient exercise in order 
to promote the digestion. Tt has been customary in this case to give 
the pearl julep, chalk;, crabs' eyes, and other testaceous powders. These 
indeed, by their absorbent quality, may correct the acidity; but they 
are attended with tins inconvenience, that they are apt to iod£e in the 
bowels, and occasion co^tiveness, which may prove very hurtful to the 
infant. For this reason they should never be given unless mixed with 
purgative medicines as rhubarb, ffiasna, and such like. 

The best medi i:ie w ! i;cir we know in all cases of acidity, is that fine 
ir.sipid powder called in ignesi i alba. It purees, and at the same time 
corrects the acidity; by which means it not only removes the disease, 
but carries off it- cause It ma} be given in any kind of food, or in a 
mixture, as recommended in the Appendix. 

When an i (fant is troubled with tripes, it oti-rht not at fist to be do- 
sed with brandy, spiceries, and other hot things; but should have its 
body opened with an emollient clyster, or the medicine mentioned 
abore: aid at the same time a little brandy may be rubbed on its bel- 
ly with a warm hand before tin.' fire. I have seldom seen this fail to 
ease the gripes of infante, (fit should happen, however, not to suc- 
ceed, a little brand) or other spirits mav be mixed with thrice the 
quantity of warm water, and a lea spoonful of it given frequently till 
the infant be easier. Sometimes a little peppermint- water will answer 
upose very well. 

GALLING AND EXCORIATION. 

THESE are very troublesome to children. They happen chiefly 
about the groin and wrinkles of the ne<k, under the arms, behind the 
ear?, and in other parts that are moistened by the sweat or urine. 

As these complaints are, in a great measure, owing to want of clean- 
liness, the most effectual means of preventing them, are, to wash the 
parts frequently with cold water, to change the linnen often, and, in a 
-word, to keep the child in all respects thoroughly clean. When this is 
pot sufficient, the excoriated parts may be sprinkled with absorbent 
or drying powders; as burnt hartshorn, (utty, chalk, crabs' claws pre- 
pared, and the l'ke. When the parts affected are very sore, and tend 
to a real ulceration, it will be proper to add a little sugar of lead to the 
powders; or to anoint the place with the camphorated ointment. If 



OF VOMITING. 34$ 

the parts be washed with spring water in which a little white vitriol 
has been dissolved, it will dry and heal them very powerfully. One 
of the best applications for this purpose, is to dissolve some fuller's 
earth in a sufficient quantity of hot water; and after it has stood till it 
is cold, to rub it gently upon the galled parts, once or twice a day. 

STOPPAGE OF THE NOSE. 

THE nostrils of infants are often plugged up with a gross mucus,, 
which prevents their breathing freely, and likewise renders it difficult 
for them to suck or swallow. 

Some in this case order, after a suitable purge, two or three grains 
of white vitriol dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram- water, and fil- 
tered, to be applied now and then to the nostrils with a linnen rag. We- 
delius says, If two grains of white vitriol, and the same quantity of 
eLaterium, be dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram-water, and appli- 
ed to the nose, as above directed, that it brings away the mucus with- 
out sneezing. 

In obstinate cases these medicines may be tried ; but I have never 
found any thing necessary, besides rubbing the nose at bed-time with a 
little sweei oil. or fresh butter. This resolves the filth, and renders the 
breathing more free.* 

OF VOMITING. 

FROM the delicate state of children, and the great sensibility of their 
prgans, a vomitiug or looseness may be induced by any thing that ir- 
ritates the nerves of the stomach or intestines. Hence these disorders 
are much more common ia childhood, than in the more advanced peri- 
ods of life They are seldom however, dangerous, and ought never 
to be considered as diseases, unless when they are violent, or continue 
so long as to exhaust the strength of the patient. 

Vomiting may be excited by an over-quantity of food ; by food that 
is of such a nature as to irritate the nerves of the stomach too much ; 
or by the sensibility of the nerves being so much increased as to, render 
them unable to bear the stimulus of even the mildest element. 

When vomiting is occasioned by too much food, it ought to be pro- 
moted, as the cure will depend upon cleansing the stomach. This may 
be done either by a few grains of ipecacuanha, or a weak solution of 
emetic tartar, as mentioned before When it is owing to food of an 
acrid or irritating quality, the diet ougot to be changed, and aliment 
of a milder nature substituted in its stead. 



# Some nurses remove this complaint by sucking the child's nose. 
This is by no means a cleauly operation ; but when nurses have the 
resolution to do it, I am far from discouraging the practice. 



34 4 OF A LOOSENESS. 

When vomiting proceeds from an increased degree of sensibility, <nr> 
too great an irritability of the nerves of the stomach, such medicines 
as have a tendency to brace and strengthen that organ, and to abate 
its sensibility, must be used. The first of these iuteotious may be an- 
swered by a slight infusion of the Peruvian bark, with the addition of 
a little rhubarb and orange peel ; and the second by the saline draughts, 
to which a few drops of liquid laudanum may be occasionally added. 

In obstinate vomitings the operation of internal medicines may be as- 
sisted by aromatic fomentations made with wine, applied warm to the 
pit of the stomach ; or the use of the stomach-plaster, with the addition 
of a little Theriaca. 

OF A LOOSEiXESS, 

A LOOSENESS may generally be reckoned salutary when the 
stools are sour, slimy, green, or curdled. It is not the discharge, but 
the production of such stools, which ought to be remedied. Even 
"where the purging is thin and watery, it ought not to be checked too 
suddenly, as it often proves critical, especially when the child has 
caught cold, or an eruption on the skin has disappeared. Sometimes 
an evacuation of this kind succeeds a humid state of the atmosphere, 
in which case it may also prove of advantage, by carrying off a quan- 
tity of watery humours, which would otherwise tend to relax the habit. 

As the principle intention of the cure of a looseness is to evacuate the 
offending matter, it is customary to give the patient a gentle vomit of 
ipecacuanha, and afterwards to exhibit small and frequent doses of 
rhubarb ; interposing absorbent medicines, to mitigate the acrimony of 
the humours. The best purge, however, in this case, is magnesia al- 
ha. It is at the same time absorbent and laxative, and operates with- 
out exciting gripes. 

The antimonial wine, which acts both as an emetic and purge, is 
also an excellent medicine in this case. By being diluted with water, 
it may be proportioned to the weakest constitution ; and, not being 
disagreeable to the palate, it may be repeated as often as occasion re- 
quires. Even one dose Avill frequently mitigate the disease, and pave 
the way for the use of absorbents. If, however, the patient's strength 
will permit, the medicine ought to be repeated every six or eight 
hours, till the stools begin to assume a more natural appearance; after- 
wards a longer space may be allowed to intervene between the doses. 
When it is uecessary to repeat the medicine frequently, the dose ought 
always to be a little increased, as its efficacy is generally diminished 
by use. 

Some upon the first appearance of a looseness, fly immediately to 
the use of absorbent medicines and astringents. If these be adminis- 
tered before the offending humours are discharged, though the disease 
may appear to be mitigated for a little time, it soou afterwards break* 



OF ERUPTIONS, m 

&rth with greater violence, and often proves fatal. After proper evac- 
uations, however,, these medicines may be administered, with consider- 
able advantage. 

Should any gripings or restlessness remain after the stomach and 
bowels have been cleansed, a tea-spo©aful of the syrup of poppies may 
be given in a little simple cinnamon- water* three or four times a-day 9 
till these symptoms have ceased, 

OF ERUPTIONS. 

CHILDREN, while on the breast, are seldom free from eruptions 
of one kind or other. These, however, are not often dangerous, and 
sought never to be dried up but with the greatest caution. They tend 
to free the bodies of infants from hurtful humours, which, if retained, 
might produce fatal disorders. 

The eruptions of children are chiefly owing to improper food and 
neglect of cleanliness. If a child be stuffed at all hours with food that 
its stomach is not able to digest, such food not being properly assimila- 
ted, instead of nourishing the body, fills it with gross humours. These 
must either break out in form of eruptions upon the skin, or remain in 
the body, and occasion fevers and other internal disorders. That neg- 
lect of cleanliness is a very general cause of eruptive disorders, must 
1>e obvious to every one. The children of the poor, and of all who des° 
pise cleanlinees, are almost constantly found to swarm with vermin, and 
are generally covered with the scab, itch, and other eruptions. 

When eruptions are the effect of improper food,/ or want of cleanli- 
ness, a proper attention to these alone will generally be sufficient to 
remove them. If this should not be the case, some drying medicines 
will be necessary. When they are applied, the body ought at the 
same time to be kept open, and cold is carefully to be avoided. We 
know no medicine that is more safe for drying up cutaneous eruptions 
than sulphur, provided it be prudently used. — A little of the flour of 
sulphur may be mixed with fresh butter, oil, or hog's lard, and thq 
parts affected frequently touched with it.^ 

* The following method for drying and curing cutaneous eruptions,- 
h deemed not unworthy attention — It is an extract of a letter(taken 
from a Calcutta paper) from a Gentleman of the Faculty, at Fort St. 
George, to the Doctor of the Bengal Establishment : 

" Sir Paul Joddrel, from his skill in botany, has made a discovery 
which is likely to prove of importance to the health and ease of the 
Europeans iu India ; and will tend to the extirpation of that cruel 
malady, the ringworm ; and the remedy is as simple as it is effica- 
cious. It consists in nothing more than a frequent embrocation or 
friction of the parts where the eruption prevails, with common mush- 
room ketchup. This remedv, simple as it appears, has never bfea 
44 



346 OF ERUPTIONS. 

The most obstinate of all the eruptions incident to children, are th* 
tinea capitis, or scabbed head, and chilblains. The scabbed head is. 
often exceeding difficult to cure, and sometimes indeed the cure proves 
"worse than the disease. I have frequently known children seized with 
internal disorders, of which they died soon alter their scabbed heads 
had been healed by the application of diying medicines.* The cure 
ought always first to be attempted by keeping the head very clean, 
cutting off the hair, combing and brushing away the scabs, &c. If this 
is not sufficient, let the head be shaved once a week, washed daily with 
soap suds, and gently anointed with a liniment made of train oil eight 
ounces, red precipitate, in fine powder, one drachm. And if there be 
proud flesh, it should be touched with a bit of blue vitriol, or sprinkled 
with a little burnt alum. While these things are doing, the patient 
must be confined to a regular light diet, the body should be kept gently 
open; and cold, as far as possible, ought to be avoided. To prevent 
any bad consequences from stopping this discharge, it will be proper, 
especially in children of a gross habit, to make an issue in the neck or 
arm, which may be kept open till the patient becomes more strong, and 
the constitution be somewhat mended. 



known to fail in removing the ring-worm, itch, or any other cutaneous 
eruption, after every nostrum has failed. 

" Sir Paul accounts for this efficacy of the vegetable curative, in the 
known noxious property of the mushroom to all animalcula. The so- 
lution or essence of this fungus is proved, by this discovery, to bear 
such enmity to the minute insect which is the occult cause of this dis- 
order, that it immediately perforates the cuticle, and totally extirmi- 
uates the infection. The experiment is easy, and a trial is recom- 
mended to those afflicted with ring-worms, tetters, or eruptions of any 
kind." a. e. 

* I sometime ago saw a very striking instance of the danger of sub- 
stituting drying medicines in the place of cleanliness and wholesome 
food, in the Foundling Hospital at Ackworth, where the children were 
grievously afflicted with scabbed heads, and other cutaneous disorders. 
Upon inquiry it was found, that very little attention was paid either to 
the propriety or soundness of their provisions, and that cleanliness was 
totally neglected; accordingly it was advised, that they should have 
more wholesome food, and be kept thoroughly clean. — This advice, 
however, was not followed. It was too troublesome to the servants, su- 
perintendants, &c. The business was to be done by medicine ; which 
was accordingly attempted, but had nearly proved fatal to the whole 
house. Fevers, and other internal disorders immediately appeared, 
and at length a putrid dysentery, which proved so infectious, that it 
carried off a great many of the children, and spread over a consider- 
able part of the neighbouring country. 



OF THE CROUP, OR HIVES. 841 

Chilblains commonly attack childreu in cold weather. They are 
generally occasioned by the feet or hands being kept long wet or cold, 
and afterwards suddenly heated. When children are cold, instead of 
taking exercise to warm themselves gradually, they run to the fire. 
This occasions a sudden rarefaction of the humours, aud an infraction 
of the vessels ; which being often repeated, the vessels are at last over- 
distended, and forced to give way. 

To prevent it, violent cold and sudden heat must be equally avoid- 
ed. When the parts begin to look red aud swell, the patient Ought to 
be purged, aud to have the affected parts frequently rubbed with mus- 
tard and brandy, or something of a warming nature. They ought like- 
wise to be covered with flannel, and kept warm aud dry. Some apply 
warm ashes between cloths, to the swelled parts, which frequently help 
to reduce them. When there is a sore, it must be dressed with Tur- 
ner's cerate, the ointment of tutty, the plaster of cerus, or some other 
drying ointment. These sores are indeed troublesome, but seldom dan* 
gerous. They generally heal as soon as the warm weather sets in. 

OF THE CROUP, OR HIVES. 

CHILDREN are often seized very suddenly with this disease, 
which, if not quickly relieved, proves mortal. It is known by various 
names in different parts of Britain* On the east coast of Scodand it is 
called the croup. On the west they call it the chock or stuffing In 
some parts of England, where I have observed it, the good women call 
it the rising of the lights, and in America, the hives* It seems io be 
a species of asthma attended with very acute and violent catarrhal 
symptoms. 

This disease generally prevails in Cold and wet seasons. It is most 
common upon the sea-coast, and in low marshy countries. — Children of 
a gross and lax habit are most liable to it. I have sometimes known 
it hereditary. It generally attacks childreu in the night, after having 
been much exposed to damp cold easterly winds through the day. 
Damp houses, wet feet, thin shoes, wet clothes, or any thing that ob- 
structs the perspiration, may occasion the croup. 

It is attended wdth a frequent pulse, quick and laborious breathieg, 
which is performed with a peculiar kind of croaking noise, that may- 
be heard at a considerable distance. The voice is sharp and shrill, 
and the face is generally much flushed, though sometimes it is of a liv- 
id colour. 

When a child is seized with the above symptoms, his feet should be 
immediately put into warm water. He ought likewise to be bled,* aud 
to have a laxative clyster administered as soon as possible; He should 



* In this disease bleeding is not always proper ; but in very full hafe* 
Ita it certainly mast be of use. 



348 QF THE CROUP, OR HIVES. 

be made to breathe over the steams of warm water and vinegar; or §9 
emollient decoction, and emollient cataplasms or fomentations may be 
applied round his neck. If the symptoms do not abate, a blistering- 
plaster must be applied round the neck, or between the shoulders, and 
the child may lake Frequently a table spoonful of the following julep : 
T-ike p( rroy- royal water three ounces, syrup of althea and of poppies, 
each one ounce, ivAx theiia together: 

Asafcetida is found to hue a good effect in this case. It may be 
both given in form of cl)ster, and taken by the mouth. Two drachms 
of asafcetida may be dissolved in one ounce of Mindercrus' spirit, and 
three ounces of penny royal water. A table spoonful of this mixture 
may be given every hour, or ofteuer, if the patient's stomach be able 
to bear it. If the child cannot be brought to take this medicine, two 
drachms of the asafcetida may be dissolved io a common clyster, and 
administered every six or eight hours, till the violence of the disease 
abate*.* 

To prevent a return of the disorder, all those things which occasion 
it mils' carefully be avoided; as wet feet, cold, damp, easterly winds, 
&c. Children who have had frequent returns of this disease, or whose 
constitutions seem to dispose them to it, ought to have their diet prop- 
erly regulated; all food that is viscid or hard of digestion, and all 
crude, raw, trashy fruits are to be avoided. They ought likewise to 
have a drain constantly kept open in some part of their body, by means 
of a seton or issue^ I have sometimes koowu a Burgundy-pitch plas- 
ter, worn continually between the shoulders for several years, have a 
very happy effect io preventing the return of this dreadful disorder. 



* I was lately favoured with a letter from Dr. William Turnbull in 
London, a physician of great experience, and who, from his former sit- 
uation on the northeast coast of England, had many opportunities of 
observing the symptoms and progress of this dangerous disease. I ain 
sorry the letter came too late to be inserted at length ; but as the Doc- 
tor's sentimen's differ very little from my own, this misfortune is the 
less to be regretted. The Doctor indeed observes, that he never found 
blistering of any service; but recommends cataplasms of garlic, 
camphor and Venice treacle, to be applied both to the throat and soles 
of the feet. He likewise recommends bolusses of camphor, castor, va- 
lerian root, salt of hartshorn, and musk, adapted to the age, strength, 
&c of the patient; after which he advises two spoonsful of the follow- 
ing decoction : Take of garlic and distilled vinegar each an ounce, 
h) sop-v ater eif*ht ounces ; beat up the ingredients together, gradually 
mixing the water, aid adding three ounces of honey. Let the whole 
t>e simmered over a gentle fire ; and afterwards strained for use. 



m teethim. im 



OF TEETHING. 



i)r. Arbuthnot observes, that above a tenth part of infants die iti 
ieething, by symptoms proceeding from the irritation of the tender ner- 
vous parts of tiie jaws, occasioning inflammations, fevers, convulsions, 
gangrenes, &c. These symptoms are in a great measure owing to the 
great delicacy and exquisite sensibility of the nervous system at this 
time of life, which is too often increased by an effeminate education. 
Hence it comes to pass, that children who are delicately brought up, 
always suffer most in teething, and often tall by convulsive disorders. 

About the sixth or seventh month the teeth generally begin to make 
their appearance ; first, the iricisores, or fore- teeth ; next, the caning 
or dog-teeth ; and lastly, the mdares, or grinders. About the seventh 
year, there comes a new set ; and about the twentieths the two inner 
grinders, called denies sapienice, the teeth of wisdom. 

Children about the time ot cutting their teeth, slaver much, and 
have generally a looseness. When the teething is difficult, especial- 
ly when the dog-teeth begin to make their way through the gums, the 
child has startings in his sleep, tumours of the gums, watchings, 
-gripes, green stools, the thrash, fever, difficult breathing and convul- 
sions. 

Difficult teething requires nearly the same treatment as an inflam- 
matory disease. If the body be bound, it must be opened either by 
emollient clysters or gentle purgatives ; as manna, magnesia alba, 
rhubarb, senna or the like. The food should be light, and in small 
quantify ; the drink plentiful, but weak and diluting, as infusions of 
balm, or of the lim^tree flowers ; to which about a third or fourth 
part of milk may be added. 

If the fever be high, bleeding will be necessary ; but this in very- 
young children ought always to be sparingly performed. It is an evac- 
uation which they bear the worst of any. Purging, vomiting, or sweat- 
ing, agree much better with them, and are generally more beneficial. 
Harris, however, observes, that when an inflammation appears, the 
physician will labour ia vain, if the cure be not begun with applying 
a leech under each ear. If the child be seized with convulsion fits, a 
blistering-plaster may be applied between the shoulders, or one behind 
each ear. 

Sydenham says, that in fevers occasioned by teething, he never 
found any remedy so effectual as two, three, or four drops of spirits of 
hartshorn in a spoonful of simple water, or other convenient vehicle, 
given every four hours. The number of doses may be four, five, or 
Six. I have often prescribed this medicine with success, but always 
found a laiger dose necessary. It may be given from five drops to 
fifteen or twenty, according to the age of the child, and when costive- 
cess does not forbid it, three or four drops of laudanum may be added 
ko each dose. 



350 OF THE RICKETS. 

In Scotland, it is very common, when children are catting their teet?H 
to put a small Burgundy pi'ch plaster between their shoulders. Xhif 
generally eases the tickling cough which attends teething, and is by no 
means an useless application. When the teeth are cut with difficulty;, 
it ought to be kept on during the whole time of teething. It may be 
enlarged as occasion requires, and ought to be renewed at least once a 
fortnight. 

Several things have been recommended for rubbing the gums, as 
oils, mucilages, &c. but from these, much is not to he expected. If 
any thing of this kind is to be used, we would recommend a little fine 
honey, which ma >' he rubbed on with the finger three or four limes 
a-day. Children are generally at this time disposed to chew whatever 
Ihey get into their hands. For this reason they ought never to be 
without somewhat that will yield a little to the pressure of their gums, 
as a crust of bread, a wax caudle, a bit of liquorice root, or such like. 

With regard to cutting the gums, we have seldom known it of any 
great benefit. In obstinate cases, however, it ought to be tried. It 
may be performed by the Auger nail, the edge of a six penny piece 
that is woru thin, or any sharp body which can be with safety intro- 
duced into the mouth ; but a lancet, in a skilful hand, is certainly the 
most proper. 

In order to render the teething less difficult, parents ought to take 
care that their children's food be light and wholesome, and that their 
nerves bo braced by sufficient exercise without doors, the use of the 
cold bath, &c. Were these things duly regarded, they would have a 
much better effect than teething necklaces, or other nonsensical amu- 
lets worn for that purpose. 

OF THE RICKETS. 

THIS disease generally attacks children between the age of nine 
months and two years. It appeared first in Englaud, about the time 
when manufactures began to flourish, and still prevails most in towns 
■»»here the inhabitants follow sedentary employments, by which means 
they neglect either to take proper exercise themselves, or to give it to 
their children. 

CAUSES. — One cause of the rickets is diseased parents. Mothers 
of a weak relaxed habit, who neglect exercise, and live upon weak wa- 
tery diet, can neither be expected to bring forth strong and healthy child- 
ren, or to be able to nurse them after thev are brought forth. Accord- 
ingly we find, that the children of such women generally die of the 
rickets, the scrophula, consumptions, or such like diseases. Children 
begotten by men in the decline of life,*who are subject to the gout, the 
gravel or other chrouic disease, or who have been often afflicted with 
the venereal disease in their youth, are likewise very liable to the 
rickets. 



OF- THE RICKETS. a*l 

Any disorder that weakens the constitution, or relaxes the habit of 
children, as the smallpox, measles, teething, the hooping-cough, &c. 
disposes them to this disease It may likewise be occasioned by im- 
proper diet, as fqod that is either too weak and watery, or so viscid 
that the stomach cannot digest it.- 

Bad nursing is the chief cause of this disease. When the nurse is 
either diseased, or has not enough of milk to nourish the child, it can- 
not thrive.. Bat children suffer oftener by want of care in nurses than 
want oi food. Allowing an infant to lie or sit too much, or not keeping; 
it thoroughly clean in its clothes, has the most pernicious effects. 

The want of free air is likewise very hurtful to children in this res- 
pect. When a nurse lives in a close small house, wlitre the air is 
damp and confined, and is too indolent to carry her child abroad into 
the open air, it will hardly escape this disease. A healthy child should 
always be in motion, unless when asleep; if it be suffered to lie or 
git, instead of being tossed and dandled ahout it will not thrive. 

SYMPTOMS.— At the beginning of this disease the child's flesh 
grows soft, and flabb) ; its strength is diminished ; it loses its wonted 
» cheerfulness, looks more grave and composed than is natural for its 
age, and does not choose to be moved. The head and belly become 
too large in proportion t" the other parts ; the face appears full, and 
the complexion florid. Afterwards the bones begin to be affected, 
especially in the more soft and spungy parts. Hence the wrists 
and ancles become thicker than usual ; the spine or back-bone 
puts on an unnatural shape; the breast is likewise often deformed; 
and the bones of the arms and legs grow crooked. All these symp- 
toms vary according to the violence of the disease. The pulse is gene- 
rally quick, but feeble; the appetite and digestion for the most part 
bad ; the teeth come slowly and with difficulty, and they often rot and 
fall out afterwards. Rickety children generally have great acuteuess 
of mind, and an understanding above their years. Whether this is ow- 
ing to their being more in the company of adults than other children, 
or. to the preternatural enlargement of the brain, is not material. 

REGIMEJN"*— As this disease is always attended with evident signs 
©f weakness and relaxation, our chief aim in the cure must be to brace 
and strengthen the solids, and to promote digestion and the due 
preparation of the fluids. These important ends will be best answered 
by wholesome nourishing diet, suited to the age and streagth of the pa- 
tient, open dry air, and sufficient exercise. If the child has a bad 
nurse, who either neglects her duty, or doe6 not understand it, she 
should be changed. If the season be cold, the child ought to be kept 
warm ; and when the weather is hot, it ous;ht to be kept cool ; as sweat- 
ing is apt to weaken it, and too great a degree of cold has the same ef- 
fect. The limbs should be rubbed frequently with a warm hand, ani 
f|ie child kept as cheerful as possible. 



bo2 OF CONVULSIONS. 

The diet ought to be dry and nourishing, as good bread, roasted 
flesh* &c. Biscuit is generally reckoned the best bread ; and pigeons, 
pullets, veal, rabbits, or mutton roasted or minced, are the most prop- 
er flesh. If the child be too young for flesh-meats, he may have rice, 
millet, or pearl barley boiled with raisins, to which may be added a 
little wine and spice. His drink may be good claret mixed with an 
equal quantity of wnter. Those who cannot afford claret, may give 
the child now and then a wine glass of mild ale, or good porter. 

MED [C [JN"E.— Medicines art hereof little avail. The disease 
may often be cured by the nurse, but seldom by the physician. In 
children of a g^ross habit, gentle vomits and repeated purges of rhubarb 
may sometimes be of use, but they will seldom carry pff the disease ; 
that must, depend chiefly upon such things as brace and strengthen the 
system ; for which purpose, besides the regimen mentioned above, we 
"would recommend the cold bath, especially in the warm season. It 
must however be used with prudence, as some rickety children caunot 
bear it. The best time for using the cold bath is in the morning, and 
the child should be well rubbed with a dry cloth immediately after he 
comes out of it. 

Sometimes issues have been found beneficial in this disease. They 
are peculiarly necessary for children who abound with gross humours. 
An infusion of the Peruvian bark in wine or ale would be of service, 
were it possible to bring them to take it. We mijdit here mention 
many other medicines which have been recommended for the rickets; 
but as there is far more danger in trusting to these than in neglecting 
them altogether, we choose rather to pass them over, aud to recommend 
a proper regimen as the thing chiefly to be depended on. 

OF CONVULSIONS. 

THOUGH more children are said to die of convulsions than of any 
other disease, yet they are for the most part only a symptom of some 
other malady. Whatever greatly irritates or stimulates the nerves 
may occasion convulsions. Hence infants whose nerves are easily af- 
fected, are often thrown into convulsions by any thing that irritates the 
alimentary canal ; likewise by teething; strait clothes ; the approach 
of the small pox, measles, or other eruptive diseases. 

When convulsions proceed from an irritation of the stomach or 
bowels, whatever clears them of their acrid contents, or renders these 
mild and inoffensive, will generally perform a cure; wherefore, if the 
child be costive, the best v ay will be to begin with a clyster and after- 
wards to give a gentle vomit, which may be repeated occasionally, and 
the body in the mean time kept open b) gentle doses of magnesia al- 
ba, or small quantities of rhubarb mixed with the powder of crab'? 
claws. 



OF WATER IN THE HEAD. S53 

Convulsions which precede (he eruption of the small-pox ot mea-^ 
jsies, generally go off upon these making their appearance. The prin- 
cipal danger in this case arises from the fears and apprehensions of 
those who have the care of the patient. Convulsions are very alarm- 
ing, and something must be done to appease the affrighted pareuts, nurs- 
es, &e. Hence the unhappy infant often undergoes bleeding, blister- 
ing, and several other operations, to the great danger of its life, when 
a little time, bathing the feet in warm water, and throwing in a mild 
clyster, would have set all to rights. 

When convulsion-fits arise from the cutting of teeth, besides gentle 
evacuations, we would recommend blistering, and the use of antispas- 
modic medicines, as the tincture of soot, asafoetida, or castor A few 
drops of any of these may be mixed in a cup of white wine whey, and 
given occasionally. 

When convulsions proceed from any external cause, as the pressure 
occasioned by straight clothes or bandages, &c these ought immedi- 
ately to be removed ; though in this case taking away the cause will 
not always remove the effect, yet it it ought to be done. It is not likely 
that the patient will recover, as long as the cause which first gave rise 
to the disorder continues to act. 

When a child is seized with convulsions without having any com- 
plaint in the bowels, or symptoms of teething ; or any rash or other dis- 
charge which has been suddenly dried Up ; we have reason to conclude 
that it is a primary disease, and proceeds immediately from the brain- 
Cases of this kind, however, happen but seldom, which is very fortu- 
nate, as little can be done to relieve the unhappy patient. When a dis- 
ease proceeds from an original fault in the formatien or structure of the 
brain itself, we cannot expect that it should yield to medicine. But as 
this is not always the cause, even of convulsions which proceed imme- 
diately from the brain, some attempts should be made to remove them. 
The chief intention to be pursued for this purpose, is to make some 
derivation from the head, by blistering, purging, and the like. Should 
these fail, issues or setons may be put in the neck, or between the 
shoulders. 

OF WATER IN THE HEAD. 

THOUGH water in the head, or a dropsy of the brain, may affect 
adult? as well as children, yet, as the latter are more peculiarly liable 
fro it, we thought that it would be most proper to place it among the 
diseases of infants 

C4USES. — A dropsy of the brain may proceed from injuries done 
to the brain itself by falls, blows, or the like; it may also proceed 
from an original laxity or weakness of the brain ; from scirrhous tu- 
mours or excrescences within the skull ; a thin watery state of the frood ; 
a diminished secretion of urine ; a sudden check of the perspiration | 
45 



054 OF WATER IN THE HEAD. 

and lastly, from tedious and lingering diseases, which waste and torn* 
suroe the patient. 

SYMPTOMS. — This disease has at first the appearance of a slow 
fever ; the patient complains of a pain in the crown of his head or over 
his eyes; he 6huns the light; is sick, and sometimes vomits; his pulse 
is irregular and generally low ; though he seems heavy and dull, yet 
he does not sleep ; he is sometimes delirious, and frequently sees ob- 
jects double ; towards the end of this commonly fatal disease, the pulse 
becomes more frequent, the pupils are generally dilated, the cheeks 
flushed, the patient becomes comatose, and convulsions ensue.* 

MEDICINE. — No medicine lias hitherto been found sufficient to 
carry off a dropsy of the brain. It is laudable, however, to make 
some attempts, as time or chance may bring many things to light, of 
which at present we have no idea. The medicines generally used are, 
purges of rhubarb or jalap, with calomel or blistering- pi asters applied 
to the neck or back part of the head. To which we would beg leave 
to add diuretics, or medicines which promote the secretion of urine, 
such as are recommended in the common dropsy. A discharge from 
the nose ought Irkewise to be promoted by causing the patient to snuff 
the powder of asarum, white hellebore or the like. 
• Some practitioners have of late pretended to cure this disease by the 
use of mercury. I have not been so happy as to see any instances of a 
cure being performed iu a confirmed dropsy of the brain ; but in so 
desperate a malady every thing deserves a trial.f 



* I very lately lost a patient in this disease, where a curious metas- 
tasis seemed to take place. The water at first appeared to be in the 
abdomen, afterwards in the breas, and last of all it mounted up to the 
brain, where it soon proved fatal 

f One reason why this disease is seldom or never cured, may be, 
that it is seldom known till not far advanced to admit of a remedy. 
Bid parents watch the firsteyroptoms, and call a physician in due time, 
I am inclined to think that something might be done. But these symp- 
toms are not yet sufficiently known, and are often mistaken even by 
physicians themselves. Of this I lately saw a striking instance in a 
patient, attended by an eminent practitioner of this city, who had all 
along mistaken the disease for teething. 



@F SURGERY. m 

CHAPTER L. 

OF SURGERY* 

fliO describe all the operations of surgery, and to point out the dif- 
JL fereot diseases in which these operations are necessary, would ex- 
tend this article far beyond the limits allotted to it : we must therefore 
confine our observations to such cases as most generally occur, and in 
which proper assistance is either not asked, Or not always to be obtain- 
ed. 

Though an acquaintance with the structure of the human body is in- 
dispensably necessary to qualify a man for being an expert surgeon ; 
yet many things may be done to save the lives of their fellow-men, in 
emergencies, by those who are no adepts in anatomy. It is amazing 
with what facility the peasants daily perform operations upon brute 
animals, which are not of a less difficult nature than many of those 
performed on the human species ; yet they seldom fail of success. 

Indeed every man is in some measure a surgeon whether he will be 
or not. He feels an inclination to assist his fellow-men in distress, and 
accidents happen every hour which give occasion to exercise this feel- 
ing. The feelings of the heart, however, when not directed by the 
judgment are apt to mislead. Thus one, by a rash attempt to save his 
friend, may sometimes destroy him ; while another, for fear of doing 
amiss, stands still and sees his bosom friend expire without so much as 
attempting to relieve him, -even when the means are in his power. As 
every good man would wish to steer a course different from either of 
these, it will no doubt be agreeable to him to know what ought to be. 
doae upon such emergencies. 

OF BLEEDING, 

NO operation of surgery is so frequently necessary as bleeding; it 
ought therefore to be very generally understood. But though prac- 
ticed by midwives, gardeners, blacksmiths, &c. we have reason to be- 
lieve that very few know when it is proper. Even physicians them- 
selves have been so much the dupes oT theory in this article, as to ren- 
der it the subject of ridicule. It is, however, an operation of great 
importance, and must, when seasonably and properly performed, be of 
singular service to those in distress. 

* Late Practice has fully proved, that all Surgical instruments, ex« 
cept the lancet for Vaccination, dipped ia oil at the instant of using, 
lessens the pain — It ia salutary also to have all instruments at blood 
Iteat. a. s; 



356 OF SURGERY, 

Bleeding is prope-r at the beginning of all inflammatory fevers, al 
pleurisies, peripneumonies, &c It is likewise proper in all topical 
inflammations, as tho^e of the intestines, womb, bladder, stomach, kid- 
nies. throat, eyes, &c as also in the asthma, sciatic pains, coughs, 
head-aches, rheumatisms, the apoplexy, epilepsy, and bloody-flux. 
After falls, blows, bruises or any violent hurt received either exter- 
nally or internally, bleeding is necessary. It is likewise necessary for 
persons who have had the misfortune to be strangled, drowued, suffo- 
cated with foul air, *he fumes ot mel<ds or Ihe like. In a word, when- 
ever the ^'itat motions have been suddenly stopt from any cause what- 
ever, except in swoonings occasioned by mere weakness or hysteric 
affections, it is proper to open a vein. But in all disorders proceeding 
from a relaxation of the solids, and an impoverished state of the blood, 
as dropsies. ca< ocir mies, <tec bleeding is improper. 

Ble ding foi I p : e 1 inflammations ought always to be performed as 
near the part affe< ed as possible. When this can be done with a lan- 
cet, it is to be preferred to any other method ; but where a vein cannot 
be found, recourse must be had to leeches or cupping. 

The quantity of blood to he let must always he regulated by the 
strength, age, constitution, manner of life and other circumstances, rela- 
ting to the patient. It would be ridiculous to suppose that a child 
could I ear to loose as much blood. as a grown person, or that a delicate 
lady should be bled to the same exten as a robust man. 

From whatever part of the body blood is to be let, a bandage must 
be applied between that part and the heart. As it is olteirnecessary, 
in order to raise the vein, to make the bandage pretty tight it will 
be proper in such cases, as soon as the blood begiis to how to slacken 
it a little. The bandage ought to be applied at least an inch, or au 
inch and an half, from the place where the wound is intended to be 
made. 

Persons not skilled in anatomy ought never to bleed in a vein that 
lies over an artery or a teodon, if they cau avoid it. The former may 
easily be known from Us pulsation or beating, and the latter from its 
feeling hard or tight like a whip cord under the finger. 

It was formerly a rule, even among those who had the character of 
being regular practitioners, to bleed their patients in certain diseases 
till they fainted Surely a more ridiculous rule could not be propo- 
sed. One person will funt at the very sight of a lancet, while another 
will loose almost the whole blood of his body before he faints. Swoon- 
ing depends more upon the state of the mind than of the body : besides, 
it may often be occasioned or prevented by the manner in which the op- 
eration is performed. 

Children are generally bled with leeches. This, though sometimes 
necessary, is a very troublesome and uncertain practice. It is impos- 
sible to know what quantity of blood is taken away by leeches ; be- 
sides, the bleeding is often very difficult to slop, and the wounds are 



©F INFLAMMATIONS AND ABSCESSES, 35? 

V>ot easily healed. Would those who practice bleeding take a little 
Biore pains, aod accustom themselves to bleed children, they would 
Bot find it such a difficult operation as they imagine. 

Certain hurtful prejudices with regard to bleeding still prevail among 
the country people. They talk, for instance, of head-veins, heart- veins, 
breast-veius, <!kc. and believe that bleeding in these will certainly cure 
all diseases of the parts from whence they are supposed to come, with- 
out considering that all the blood vessels arise from the heart and re • 
turn to it again ; for which reason, unless in topical inflammations, it 
signifies very little from what part of the body the blood is takeci 
But this, though a foolish prejudice, is not near so hurtful as the vul- 
gar notion that the first bleeding will perform wonders. This belief 
makes them often postpone the operation when necessary, in order to 
reserve it for some more important occasion, and when they think 
themselves in extreme danger, they fly to it for relief whether it be 
proper or not Bleeding at certain stated periods or seasons has like- 
wise bad effects* 

It is a common notion that bleeding in the feet draws the humours 
downwards, and consequently cures diseases of the head and other su- 
perior parts ; but we have already observed that, in all topical affec- 
tions, the blood ought to be drawn as near the part as possible. When 
it is necessary, however, to bleed in the foot or hand, as the veins are 
small, and the bleeding is apt to stop too soon, the part ought to be 
immersed in warm water, and kept there till a sufficient quantity of 
blood be let. 

We shall not spend time in describing the manner of performing this 
operation ; that will be better learned by example than precept Twen- 
ty pages of description would not convey so just an idea of the opera- 
tion as seeing it once performed by an expert hand. Neither is it ne- 
cessary to point out the different parts of the body from whence blood 
may be taken, as the arm, foot, forehead, temples, neck, &c. These 
will readily occur to every intelligent person, aud the foregoing obser- 
vations will be sufficient for determining which of them is most proper 
upon any particular occasion. In all cases where the intention is 
merely to lessen the general mass of blood, the arm is the most com- 
modious part of the body in which the operation can be performed. 

OF INFLAMMATIONS AND ABSCESSES. 

From whatever cause an inflammation proceeds, it must terminate 
either by dispersion, suppuration, or gangrene. Though it is impossi- 
ble to foretell with certainty in which of these ways any particular in- 
flammation will terminate, yet a probable conjecture may be formed 
with regard to the event, from a knowledge of the patient's age and con- 
stitution. Inflammations happening in a slight degree upon colds, and 
without any previous indisposition, will most probably be dispersed ; 



OF INFLAMMATIONS AND ABSCESSES. 

those which follow close upon a fever, or happen to persons of a grossr' 
habit of body, will generally suppurate ; and those which attack very 
old people, or persons of a drqpsical habit, will have a strong tendency 
to gangrene. 

If the iuflammation be slight, and the constitution sound, the disper- 
sion ought always to be attempted. This will be bes't promoted by a 
slender diluting diet, plentiful bleeding, and repeated purges. The 
part itself must be fomented, and, if the skin be very leuse, it may be 
embrocated with a mixture of three-fourths of sweet oil, and one fourth 
of' vinegar, and afterwards covered. with a piece of wax-plaster. 

If notwithstanding these applications, the symptomatic fever increases, 
and the tumour becomes larger, with a violent pain and pulsation, it will 
be proper to promote the suppuration. The best application for this pur- 
pose is a soft poultice, which may be renewed twice a- day. If the sup- 
puration proceeds but slowly, a raw onion cut small or bruised may be 
spread upon the poultice. \Vhen the abscess is ripe or fit for open- 
ing, which may easily be known from the thinness of the skin in the 
most prominent part of it, a fluctuation of matter which may be i'eit 
under the finger, aud, generally speaking, an abatement of the pain, it 
may be opened either with a lancet or by means of caustic. 

The last way in which an inflammation terminates, is in a gangrene 
or mortification, the approach of which may be known by the following 
symptoms : the inflammation loses its redness, aud becomes duskish or 
livid; the tension of the skin goes off, and it feels flabby ; little blad- 
ders filled with ichor of differeut colours spread all over it : the tumour 
subsides, and from a duskish complexiou becomes black ; a quick low 
pulse, with cold clammy sweats, are the immediate forerunners of 
death. 

When the symptoms first appear, the part ought to be dressed with 
X.ondon treacle, or a cataplasm made of lixivium and brau Should 
the symptoms become worse, the part must be scarified and afterwards 
dressed with basilicum softened with oil of turpentine. All the dress- 
ings must be applied warm. With regard to* iuternal medicines, the 
patient must be supported with generous cordials, and the Peruviaa 
bark exhibited in as large doses as the stomach will bear it. If the 
mortified parts should separate, the wound will become a common ul- 
cer, and must be treated accordingly. 

This article includes the treatment of all those diseases, which, ia 
different parts of the country, go by the names of biles, imposthumes t 
Tvhitloes, &c. They are all absceeses in consequence of a previous in- 
flammation, which, if possible, ought to be discussed ; but when this 
cannot be done, the suppuration should be promoted, and the matter 
discharged by an incision, if necessary ; afterwards the sore may be 
dressed with yellow basitiGam, er someethei digestive ointment. 



3.53 
OF WOUNDS. 

NO part of medicine has been more mistaken than the treatment or 
cure of wounds. Mankind in general believe that certain herbs, hut- 
ments, and plasters are possessed of wonderful healing powers, and im- 
agine that no wound can be cured without the application of them. It 
is however a fact, that no external application whatever contributes to- 
wards the cure of a wound, any other way than by keeping the parts soft, 
clean, and defending them from the external air, which may oe as ef- 
fectually done by dry lint, as by themost pompous applications, while 
it is exempt from many of the bad consequences attending them. 

The same observation holds with respect to internal applications.. 
These only promote the cure of wounds as far as they tend to prevent 
a fever, or to remove any cause that might obstruct or impede the op- 
erations of Nature. It is Nature alone that cures wounds : All that 
art can do is to remove obstacles, and to put the parts in such a condi- 
tion as is the most favourable to Nature's efforts. 

With this simple view we shall consider the treatment of wounds, and 
endeavour to point out such steps as ought to be taken to facilitate 
their cure. 

The first thing to be done when a person has received a wound, is 
to examine whether any foreign body be lodged in it, as wood, stone, 
iron, lead, glass, dirt, bits of cloth, or the like. These, if possible, 
ought to be extracted, and the wound cleaned, before any dressings be 
applied. When that cannot be effected with safety, on account of the 
patient's weakness, or loss of blood, they must be suffered to remain 
in the wound, and afterwards extracted when he is more able to bear it. 

When a wound penetrates into any of the cavities of the body, as the 
breast, the bowels, &c. or where any considerable blood-vessel is cut, a 
skilful surgeon ought immediately to be called, otherwise the patient 
may lose his life. But sometimes the discharge of blood is so great, 
that if it be not stopt, the patient may die even before a surgeon, though 
at no great distance, can arrive. In this case, something must be done 
by those who are present. If the wound be in any of the limbs, the 
bleeding may generally be stopt by applying a tight ligature or ban- 
dage round the member a little above the wound. The best method of 
doing this is to put a strong broad garter round the part, but so slack 
as easily to admit a small piece of stick to be put under it, which must 
be twisted, in the same manner as a countryman does a cart-rope to 
secure his loading, till the bleeding stops. Whenever this is the case^ 
he must take care to twist it no longer, as straining it too much might 
occasion an inflammation of the parts, and endanger a gangrene. 

In parts where this bandage cannot be applied, various other meth~ 
ods may be tried to stop the bleeding, as the application of styptics, as- 
tringents, &c. Cloths dipped in a solution of blue vitriol in water, or 
the styptic mater of the dispensatories, may be applied to the wound, 



360 OF WOUNDS. 

When those cannot be obtained, strong spirits of wine may be used. 
Some recommend the aqarrc * of the oak as preferable to any of the 
other styptics; and indeed it deserves considerable encomiums. 

It is easily obtained, and ought to be kept in every family in case nf 
accidents. A piece of it must be laid upon the wound, and covered 
with a good deal of lint, above which a bandage may be applied so 
tight as to keep it firmly on. 

Though spirits, tinctures, and hot balsams may be used, in order to 
stop the bleeding when it is excessive, they are improper at other 
times. They do not promote, but retard the cure, and often change a 
simple wound into an ulcer People imagine, because hot balsams 
congeal the blond, and seem, as it were, to sodder up the wound, that 
they therefore heal it; but this is ouly a deception. They m^ in- 
deed stop the flowing blood, by searing the mouths of the vessels ; but, 
by rendering the parts callous they obstruct the cure. 

lu slight wounds, which do not penetrate much deeper than the 
skin, the best application is a bit of the common black sticking plaster. 
This keeps the sides of the wound together, and preveuts the air from 
hurting it, which is all that is necessary. When a wound penetrates 
deep, it is not safe to keep its lips quite close : this keeps in the mat- 
ter, and is apt to make the wound fester. In this case the best way is 
to fill the wound with soft lint, commonly called caddis. It however 
must not be stuffed in too hard, otherwise it will do hurt. The lint may 
be covered with a cloth dipped in oil, or spread with the common 
■wax-plaster ; and the whole must be kept on by a proper bandage. 

We shall not 6pend time in describing the different bandages that 
may be proper for wounds in different p^rts of the body ; common 
sense will generally suggest the most commodious method of appljiug 

* Dr. Tissot, iu his " Advice to the people,'' gives the following di- 
rections for gathering, preparing, and applying the agaric. " Gather 
in autumn," says he, " while the fine weather lasts, the agaric of the 
oak, which is a kind of fungus or excrescence issuing from the wood 
of that tree. It consists at first of four parts, which present themselves 
successively : 1 . The outward rind, or skin, which may be thrown 
away. 2. The part immediately under this rind which is the best 
of all. This is to be beat well with a hammer till it becomes soft and 
very pliable. This is the only preparation it requires, and a <di<~e of 
it of a proper size is to be applied directly -over the bursting-open blood 
vessels. It construes and brings them close together, slops the bleed- 
ing, and generally falls off at the end of two days. 3. The third part 
adhering to the second may serve to stop the bleeding from the smaller 
vessels ; and the fourth and last part may be reduced to powder as 
conducing to the same purpose." Where the agaric cannot be had, 
sponge may be used in its stead. It must be applied in the same mas* 
Ber, and has nearly the same eiFects. 



OF BURNS AND SCALDS, 16^ 

% bandage ; beside, descriptions of this kind are not easily understood 
or remembered. 

The first dressing ought to continue on for at least two days ; after 
which it may be reaioved, and fresh lint applied as before If any 
part of the first dressing sticks so close as not to be removed with ease 
or safety to the patient, it may be allowed to continue, and fresh lint 
dipped in sweet oil laid over it. This will soften it, so as to make it 
come off easily at the next dressing. Afterwards the wound may be 
dressed twice a-day in the same manner till it be quite healed. Those 
who are fond of salves or ointments, may, after the wound is become 
very superficial, dress it with the yellow basilicum ; and if fungus, or 
what is called prowlflesh, should rise in the wound, it may be checked, 
by mixing with the ointment a little burnt alum or red precipitate of 
mercury. 

When a wound is greatly inflamed, the most proper application is a 
poultice of bread and milk, softened with a little sweet oil or fresh but- 
ter. This must be applied instead of a plaster, and should be changed 
twice a-day. 

If the wound be large, and there is reason to fear an inflammation, 
the patient should be kept on a very low diet. He must abstain from 
flesh, strong liquors, and every thing that is of a heating nature. It 
he be of a full habit, and has lost but little blood from the wound, he 
must be bled ; and, if the symptoms be urgent, the operation may be 
repeated. But when the patient has been greatly weakened by loss of 
blood from the wound, it will be dangerous to bleed him, even though 
a fever should ensue. Nature should never be too far exhausted. It 
is always more safe to allow her to struggle with the disease, in her 
own way, than to sink the patient's strength by excessive evacuations. 

Wounded persons ought to be kept perfectly quiet and easy. Eve- 
ry thing that ruffles the mind or moves the passions, as love, anger, 
fear, excessive joy, &c. are very hurtful. They ought above all 
things to abstain from venery. The body should be kept gently open, 
either by laxative ciysters, or by a cool vegetable diet, as roasted ap- 
ples, stevyed prunes, boiled spinnage, and such like. 

OF BURNS AND SCALDS. 

VARIOUS remedies are recommended for the treatment "af these 
accidents; and it happens fortunately for the pressure of such an emer- 
gency, that some of the mos-t common things are also the most useful 
on the occasion. The pain of burns and scalds may be instantly aba- 
ted by immersing the part affected in cold water, or indeed in any cold 
fluid, or in spirits of wine. An excellent application likewise is vine- 
gar, with or without powdered chalk in it. If the injury be on the 
fingers or hands, the application may be made by immersion ; but if 
in any pirt where this would be inconvenient, the vinegar may be ap. 



S62 CtF BURNS AND SCALDS. 

plied by means of lionen rags dipped in it. In slight injuries, the vhi* 
egar, if early and assiduously applied, will of itself soon effect a cure; 
but should any degree of pain return, the immersion or fomentation 
must be repeated. 

In recent burns or scalds, attended with large blisters, excoriations, 
or loss of substance, the vinegar ought to be applied till the pain near- 
ly ceases, which generally happens within eignt hours. Many practi- 
tioners recommend spirits of turpentine instead of vinegar; or lime-wa- 
ter and linseed oil. The vinegar need no*, be employed longer than 
twelve hours, except on die outside of the sores, which, while they 
continue to be swelled or inflamed, should be fomented for a minute or 
two before they are dressed. 

For dressing the sores which arise from burns or scalds, one of the 
best applications is a poultice of bread, water, and sweet oil. This 
should he removed in six hours, when the sores are to be covered with 
chalk fitter) powdered, till it has absorbed the mattet, and appears 
q-tite dry. A fresh poultice must be laid over the whole, which, with 
the sprinkling of the chalk, is to be repeated morning and evening till 
the sores are healed 

After the second or third day, if the sores be on a part of the body 
where it is difficult to keep the poultice from shifting, a plaster of ce- 
rate thickly spread, *iay be used as a substitute in the day time. 

When there are large blisters upon the part, they should be opened 
wirh a lancet before the application of the vinegar ; and the water 
they contain be pressed out with a lionen cloth, that the vinegar may 
act more closely upon the burnt flesh, which in this case it does effica- 
ciously. In severe cases, and in cold weather, the vinegar should be 
dearly blood- warm. 

If he patient will not suffer the vinegar to be applied immediately 
to the surface, on account of the pain it excites, a linnen rag soaked in 
sVeet oil may be previously {aid on the part, covering the whole with 
cloths dipped in vinegar; and these applications are to be occasionally 
repeated till the pain and inflammation be entirely removed ; aftet 
which the parts should be dressed, or, if the burning be veiy deep, with 
a mixture of that and yellow bssilicum. 

When the burn or scald is violent, or has produced a high degree 
of .inflara nation, so that there is reason to be apprehensive of a gan-. 
grene. the same method of cure becomes necessary as in other violent 
inflammations. The patient, in this case, must be put upon a low diet, 
and driok plentifully of weak diluting liquors He mu-t likewise be 
bled, and his body be kept open. But if the burnt parts should be- 
come liv'd or black, with other symptoms of mortification, it will be 
necessary to apply to them camphorated spirits of wine, tincture of 
myr.h, and other antiseptics or correctors o! putrefaction, mixed with 
9 decoction of the Peruvian bark. In this case, lite baik must like* 



OF BURNS AND SCALDS. 363 

^ise be taken internally ; the patient at the same' time using a more 
generous diet, with wine, spiceries, &c 

When burns are occasioned by the explosion of gun powder, some 
of the grains of the powder are apt to be f reed into the skin. At first 
they produce much irritation; aad, if they be not removed, the} com- 
monly leave marks which remain during life. They should therefore 
be picked out as soon as possible alter the accident ; and to prevent 
inflammation, as well as to dissolve any powder which may remain, 
the parts affected, should be covered for a day or two with emollient 
poultices. 

A strong solution of soap in water has long been in use with artifi- 
cers employed in any business exposing workmen to very bad scalds. 
This is allowed to be an excellent remedy. But, as the soap would 
take some time in dissolving, and the solution some time in cooling, 
Dr. Underwood recommends a mixture of six ounces of oil to ten of 
water, with two drachms of the ley of kali, or pot-ash. Tnis quanti- 
ty may be sufficient for a burn on the hand or foot, which is to be im- 
mersed, and kept about half an hour in the liquor, which will remove 
the injury, if recourse to it immediately be had; but must be repeat- 
ed, as the pain may require, if the scald or burn be of some standing. 
As example teaches better than precept, I shall relate the treatment 
of the most dreadful case of this kind that has occurred in my prac- 
tice. A. middle aged man, of a good constitution, fell into a large ves- 
sel full of boiling water, and miserably scalded about one half of his 
body. As his clothes were on, the burning in some parts was very 
•deep before they could be got off. For the first two days the scalded 
parts had been frequently anointed with a mixture of lime water and 
oil, which is a very proper application for recent burnings. On the 
third day, when I first saw him, his fever was high, and his body 
costive, for which he was bled, and had an emollient clyster adminis- 
tered. Poultices of bread and milk, softened with fresh butter, were 
likewise applied to the affected parts, to abate the heat and inflamma- 
tion. His fever still continuing high, he was bled a second time, was 
kept strictly on the cooling regimen, took the saline mixiure with small 
doGes of nitre, and had an emollient clyster administered once a-day. 
When the inflammation began to abate, the parts were dressed with a 
digestive composed of brown cerate and yellow basilicum. Where 
any black spots appeared, they were slightly scarified, and touched 
with the tincture of myrrh, and to prevent their spreading, the Peru- 
vian bark was administered. By this course, the man was so well in 
three weeks as to be able to attend to his business. 

The most useful application, we are told, with which families can 
be provided against any emergency of this kind, is a strong brine, made 
hy placing sliced potatoes and common salt in alternate layers in a pan, 
allowing them to remain until the whole of the salt is liquified; which 



ttX OF BRUISES. 

> '•:;-,! be then drained off, and kept in bottles, properly labelled, readtf 

.. immediate use. 

OF BRUISES. 

:RUrSE3 are generally productive of worse consequences than 

mds. The danger from them does not appear immediately, by 
V;;;di means it often happens that they are neglected. It is needless 
any defi .iiio;i of a disease so Universally known ; we shall 
therefore proceed lo point out the method of treating it. 

lit slight bruises il will be sufficient to bathe the part with warm vin- 

r, io which a li tie brandy or rum may occasionally be added, and 
to keep cloths wet frith this mixture constantly applied to it. This is 
more proper than rubbing it with brandy, spirits of wine, or other ar- 
Oi ut spirits, Which are commonly used in such cases. 

I i some pins of 'he country the peasants apply to a recent bruise a 
catapjasm of fresh cow dung. I have often seen this cataplasm appli- 
ed to violent contusions occasioned by blows, falls, bruises, and such 
lik and never knew it: fail to have a good effect. 

Alien a bruise is very violent, the patient ought immediately to be 
bled, and put upon a proper regimen. His food should be light and 
cool, and his drink weak aud of an opening nature : as whoy sweeten* 
td with hr.'it y. decoctions of tamarinds, barley, cream tartar whey, 
and such like. The bruised part must be bathed with vinegar aud 
Ava.er, as directed above ; and a poultice made by boiling crumbs of 
bread, elder flowers, and camomile flowers, in equal quantities of vinegar 
and water applied to it. This poultice is peculiarly proper when a 
wouud is joined to the bruise. It may be renewed two or three times 
a-day. 

As the structure of the vessels is totally destroyed by a violent 
bruise, there of en ensues a gieat loss of substance, which produces an 
ulcerous sore very difficult to cure. If the bone be effected, the sore 
will not heal before an exfoliation takes place ; that is, before the dis- 
eased part of the bone separates, aod comes out through the wound. 
This is often a very slow operation, and may even require several 
years to be completed. Hence it happens, that these sores are fre- 
quently mistaken for the king's evil, and treated as such though in fact 
they proceed solely from the injury which the solid parts received from 
the blow. 

Patients in this situation are pestered with different advices. Every 
one who sees them proposes a new remedy, till the sore is so much 
irritated with various aud opposite applications, that it is often at length 
rendered absolutely incurable. The best method of managing such 
sores is, to take care that the patient's constitution does not suffer by 
confinement or improper medicine, and to apply nothing to them tie- 
sides simple ointment spread upon soil lint, over which a poultice of 



OF ULCERS. &ok 

b'reacl and milk, with boiled camomile flowers, or the like, may be pat 
to nourish the part, and keep it soft and warm Nature, thus assisted, 
will geuerally in time operate a cure, by throwing oil the diseased 
parts of the bone, after which the sore soon heals. 

OF ULCERS. 

ULCERS may be the consequence of wounds, bruises, or impos- 
thumes improperly treated ; they may Hkewise proceed from an ill slate 
of the humours, or what may be called a bad habit of body. 

In the latter case they ought not to be hastily dried up, otherwise it 
may prove fatal to the patient. Ulcers happen most commonly in the 
decline of life ; and persons who neglect exercise, and live grossly, are 
most liable to them. They might often be prevented by retrenching 
some part of the solid food, or by opening artificial drains, as issues, 
setons, or the like. 

An ulcer may be distinguished from a wound by its discharging a 
thin watery humour, Which is often so acrid as to inflame and corrode 
the skin ; by the hardness and perpendicular situation of its sides or 
edges ; by the time of its duration, &c. 

It requires considerable skill to be able to judge whether or not au 
ulcer ought to be dried up. In general, all ulcers which proceed 
from a bad habit of body, should be suffered to continue open, at least 
till the constitution has been so far changed by proper regimen, or the 
use of medicine, that they seem disposed to heal of their own accord. 
Ulcers which are the effect of malignant fevers, or other acute diseas- 
es, may generally be healed with safety after the health has been res- 
tored for some time. The cure ought not however to be attempted 
too soon, nor at any time without the use of purging medicines and a 
proper regimen. When wounds or bruises have, by wrong treatment, 
degenerated into ulcers, if the constitution be good, they may general- 
ly be healed with safety. When ulcers either accompany chronic dis- 
eases, or come in their stead, they must be cautiously healed. If an 
ulcer conduces to the patieut's health, from whatever cause it pro- 
ceeds, it ought not to be healed ; but if, on the contra v*, ii wastes the 
strength and consumes the patient by a slow fever, it should be healed 
as soon as possible. 

We would earnestly recommend a strict attention to these particu- 
lars to all who have the misfortune to labour under this disorder, par- 
ticularly those in the decline of life ; as we have frequently kuown 
people throw away their lives by the want of it, while they were ex- 
tolling and generously rewarding those whom they ought to have look- 
ad upon as their executioners. 

The most proper regimen for promoting the cure of ulcers, is to 
avoid all spices, salted and high seasoned food, all strong liquors, and to 
Ipssen the usual quantity of flesh meat. The body ought to be kept gent- 



306 OF ULCERS. 

ly open by a diet consisting chiefly of cooiing laxative vegetables, and 
by drinking butter-milk, whey sweetened with honey, or the like* 
The patient ought to be kepi cheerful, an) should take as much exer- 
cise as he cau easily hear. 

When the bottom and sides of an ulcer seem hard and callous, they 
m?y be sprinkled twice a-day with a little red precipitate of mercury, 
and afterwards dressed with the yellow basiheum ointment Some- 
times it will be necessary to have the edges of the ulcer scarified with 
the lancet 

Lime-water has frequently been known to have happy effects in the 
cure of obstinate ulcers It may be used in the same manner as direct- 
ed for the stone and gravel. 

My late learned and ingenious friend Dr. Whytt strongly recom- 
mends the use of die solution of corrosive sublimate of mercury in bran- 
dy, for the cine of obstinate ill-conditioned ulcers. I have frequently 
found this medicine, when giyen according to the Doctor's directions, 
prove very successful This dose is a table-spoonful night and morn- 
ing; at the samp dine washing the. sore twice or thrice a-day with it. 
In a letter which I had from the Doctor a little before his death, he 
informed me. " That he observed washing the sore thrice a day with 
the solution ot a tr-pple strength was very beneficial."* 

A fistulous uicer can seldom be cured without au operation. It must 
either be laid open so as to have its callous parts destroyed by some 
corrosive application, or they must be entirely cut away by the knife; 
but as this operation requires the hand of an expert surgeon, there is 
no occasion to describe it. Ulcers about the anus are most apt to be- 
come fistulous, and are very difficult to cure. Some indeed pretend 
to have found Ward's fistula paste very successful in this complaint. 
It is not a dangerous medicine, and being easily procured, it may de- 
serve a trial; but as these ulcers generally proceed from an ill habit 
of body, they will seldom yield to any thing except a long course of 
regimen, assisted by medicines which are calculated to correct that 
particular habit, and to induce an almost total change in the constitu- 
tion. 



* In ulcers of the lower limbs great benefit is often received from 
tight rollers, or wearing a laced stocking, as this prevents the flux o£ 
humours to the sores, and disposes them to heal. 



OF DISLOCATIONS, <&e. m 



CHAPTER LI. 



OF DISLOCATIONS. 

WHEN a bone is moved out of its place or articulation, so as tq 
impede its proper functions, it is said to be luxated or disloca- 
ted. As this often happens to persons in situations where no medical 
assistance can be obtained, by which means limbs, and even lives, are 
frequently lost, we shall endeavour to point out the method of reducing 
the most common luxations, and those which require immediate assist- 
ance. Any person of common sense and resolution, who is present 
when a dislocation happeus, may often be of more service to the pa- 
tient, than the most expert surgeon can alter the swelling and inflam- 
mation have come on. When these are present, it is difficult to know 
the state of the joint, and dangerous to attempt a reduction, and by wait- 
ing till they are gone off, the muscles become so relaxed and the cavity 
filled up, that the bone can never afterwards be retained in its place. 

A recent dislocation may generally be reduced by exlention alone, 
which must always be greater or less according to the strength of the 
muscles which move the joint, the age, robustness, and other circum- 
stances of the patient. When the boue has been out of its place for a 
considerable time, and a swelling or inflammation has come on, it will 
.be necessary to bleed the patient, and, after fomenting the part, to ap- 
ply soft poultices with vinegar to ii for some time before the reduction 
h attempted. 

All that is necessary after the reduction, is to apply cloths dipped 
in vinegar or camphorated spirits of wine to the part, and to keep it 
perfectly easy. Many bad consequences proceed from the neglect of 
this rule. A dislocation seldom happens without the tendons and lig- 
aments of the joint being stretched and sometimes torn. When these 
are kept easy till they reeover their strength and tone, all goes on 
very well ( but if the injury be increased by too frequent an exer- 
tion of the parts, no wonder if they be found weak and diseased ever 
after. 

DISLOCATION OF THE JAW. 

THE lower jaw may be luxated by yawning, blows, falls, chewing 
bard tiubstaoces, or the like It is easily known from the patient's 
being unable to shut his mouth, or to eat any thing, as the teeth of the 
under jaw do not correspond with those of the upper ; besides, the 
chin either hangs down, or is thrown toward one side, and the patient 
Is neither able to speak distinctly, nor to swallow without considerable 
difficulty. 



368 DISLOCATION OF THE NECK. 

The usual method of reducing a dislocated jaw is to set the patient 
upon a low stool, so as an assistant may hold die head firm by pressing 
it against his breatt. The operator is then to thrust his two thumbs, 
beiug first wrapped up with liunen cloths that they may not slip as far 
back into the patient's mou'h as he can, while Im fingers are applied 
to the jaw externally. Afer he has got firm hold of the jaw, he is to 
press it strongly downwards and backwards by which means the elap- 
sed heads ot the jaw may be easily pushed into their former cav- 
ities. 

The peasants in some parts of the country have a peculiar way of 
performing this operation. One of them puts a handkerchief under 
the patient's chin, then turning his back to that of the patient, pulls him 
up by the chin so as to suspend him from the ground. This method 
often succeeds, but we think it a dangerous one, and therefore recom- 
mend the former. 

DISLOCATION OF THE NECK. 

THE neck may be dislocated by falls, violent blows, or the like. 
In this case, if the patient recehes no assistance, he soon dies, which 
makes people imagine the neck was broken; it is however, for the 
most part only partially dislocated, and may be reduced by almost any 
person who has resolution enough to attempt it. A complete disloca- 
tion of the neck is instantaneous death. 

When the neck is dislocated, the patient is immediately deprived of 
all sense and motion; his neck swells, his countenance appears bloat- 
ed ; his chin lies upon his breast, and his face is generally turned to- 
wards one side. 

To reduce this dislocation, the unhappy person should immediately 
be laid upon his back on the ground, and, the operator must place 
himself behind him so as to be able to lay hold of his head with both 
hands, while he makes a resistance by placing his knees against the 
patieut's shoulders. In this posture he musi pull the head with con- 
siderable force, gently twisting it at the same time, if the face be turned 
to one side, till he perceives that the joint is replaced, which may be 
known from the noise which the bones generally make when going in, 
the patient's beginning to breathe, and the head continuing in its natu- 
ral posture. 

This is one of those operations which is more easy to perform than 
describe. I have knowu instances of its being happily performed even 
by women, and often by men ol no medical education. After the neck, 
is reduced, the patient ought to bebied, and should be suffered to rest 
for some days, till the parts recover their proper tone. 



DISLOCATION OF THE RIBS, &e. 368 

DISLOCATION OF THE RIBS. 

AS the articulation of the ribs with the back bone is very strong, 
ihey are not often dislocated. It does however sometimes happen, 
;which is a sufficient reason for our taking notice of it. When a rib is 
dislocated either upwards or downwards, in order to replace it, the 
patient should be laid upon his belly on a table, and the operator must 
.endeavour to push the head of the bone into its proper place. Should 
ihis method not succeed, the arm of the disordered side may be sus- 
pended over a gate or ladder, and, while the ribs are thus sketched 
asunder, the heads of such as are out of place may be thrust into their 
former situation. 

Those dislocations wherein the heads of the ribs are forced inwards, 
are both more dangerous and the most difficult to reduce, as neither 
the hand nor any instrument can be applied internally to direct the lux- 
ated heads of the ribs. Almost the only thing that can be done is, to 
lay the patient upon his belly over a cask, or some gibbous body, 
and to move the fore part of the rib inward towards the back, some- 
times shaking it ; by this means the heads of the luxated ribs may slip 
.into their former place. 

DISLOCATION OF THE SHOULDER. 

THE humerus or upper bone of the arm may be dislocated in va- 
rious directions ; it happens however most frequently downwards, but 
very seldom directly upwards. From the nature of its articulation, 
as well as from its exposure to external injuries, this bone is the most 
subject to dislocation of any in the body. A. dislocation of the hu- 
merus may be know by a depression or cavity on the top of the shoul- 
der, and an inability to move the arm. When the dislocation is 
downward or forward, the arm is elongated, and a ball or lump is 
perceived under the ana pit ; but when it is backward, there appears 
a protuberance behind the shoulder, aad the arm is thrown forwards 
.towards the breast. 

The usual method of reducing dislocations of the shoulder is to 
seat the patient upon a low stool, and to cause au assistant to hold his 
body so that it may not give way to the extension, while another lays 
hold of the arm a little above the elbow, and gradually extends it. 
The operator then puts a napkin under the patient's arm, and causes 
it to be tied behind his own neck; by this, while a sufficient extension 
is marie, he lifts up the head of the bone, and with his hands directs it 
into its proper place. There are various machines invented for faciii» 
tating this operation, but the hand of an expert surgeon is always more 
safe. In young and delicate patients, I have generally found it a very 
easy mattef to reduce the- shoulder, by extending the arm with om 



170 DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW, &t. 

Band, and thrusting in the head of the bone with the other. In rac- 
king the extension, the arm ought always to be a little bent. 

DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW. 

THE bones of the fore arm may be dislocated in any direction. 
"When this is the case, a protuberance may be observed on that side of 
the arm towards which the bone is pushed, from which, and the pa- 
tient's inability to beud his arm, a dislocation of this joint may easily 
be known. 

Two assistants are generally necessary for reducing a dislocation of 
the elbow ; one of them must lay hold of the arm above, and the other 
below the joint, and make a pretty strong extension, while the operator 
returns the bones into their proper place. Afterwards the arm must 
be bent, and suspended for som« time with a sling aboui the neck. 

Luxations of the wrist and fingers are, to be reduced in the same 
manner as those of the elbow ; viz. by making an extension in different 
directions, and thrusting the head of the bone into its place. 

DISLOCATION OF THE THIGH. 

When the thigh-bone is dislocated forward and downward, the knee 
and foot are turned out, and the leg is longer than the other, but whea 
it is displaced backward, it is usually pushed upward at the sara« 
time, by which means the limb is shortened, and the foot is turned in- 
wards. 

When the thigh-bone is displaced forward and downward, the pa- 
tient, in order to have it reduced, must be laid upon his back and mad* 
fast by bandages, or held by assistants, while by others an extension is 
made bv means of slings fixed about the bottom of the thigh a little 
above the knee. While the extension is made, the operator must push 
the head of the bone outward, till it gets into the socket. If the dis- 
location be outward, the patient must be laid upou his face, and, during 
the extention, the head of the bone must be pushed inward. 

Dislocations of the knees, ancles, and toes, are reduced much in the 
same manner as those of the upper extremities, vis. by making an ex- 
tention in opposite directions, while the operator replaces the bones. 
In many cases, however, the extention alone is sufficient, and the bene 
wiil slip into its place merely by pulling the limb with sufficient force. 
It is not hereby meant, that force alone is sufficient for the reductioa 
of dislocations. Skill and address will often succed better than force. 
I have known a dislocation of the thigh reduced by one man, after all 
the force that could be used by six had proved ineffectual. 



OF BROKEN BONES. SU 



CHAPETR LIL 



OF BROKEN BONES, &e. 

THERE is, in most villages, some person who pretends to the art 
of reducing fractures. Though in genera! such persons are very 
ignorant, yet some of them are very successful ; which evidently 
proves, that a small degree of learning, with a sufficient share of com- 
mon sense and a mechauical head, will enable a man to be useful id 
this way. We woidd, however, advise people never to employ such 
operators, when an expert and skillful surgeon can be had ; but when 
this is impracticable, they must be employed ; we shall therefore re- 
commend the following hints to their consideration : 

When a large bone is broken, the patient's diet ought in all respects 
to be the same as in an inflammatory fever. He should likewise be 
kept quiet and cool, and his body open by emollient clysters ; or, if 
these cannot be conveniently administered, by food that is of an open- 
ing quality ; as stewed prunes, apples boiled in milk, boiled spinuage, 
and the like. It ought however td be here remarked, that persons 
who have been accustomed to live high, are not all of a sudden to be 
reduced to a very low diet. This might have fatal effects. There 
is often a necessity for indulging even bad habits, in some measure, 
where the nature of the disease might require a different treatment. 

It will generally be necessary to bleed the patient immediately after 
a fracture, especially if he be young, of a full habit, or has at the same 
time received any bruise or contusion. This operation should not on- 
ly be performed soon after the accideut happens, but if the patient be 
very feverish, it may be repeated next day. When several of the ribs 
are broken, bleeding is peculiarly necessary. 

If any of the large bones which support the body are broken, the 
patient must keep his bed for several weeks. It is by no means ne- 
cessary, however that he should lie all that time, as is customary upon 
his back. This situation sinks the spirits, galls and frets the patient's 
skin, and renders him very uneasy. After the second week he may be 
gently raised up, and may sit several hours, supported by a bed chair, 
or the like, which will greatly relieve him. Great care, however, 
must be taken in raising him up and laying him dowu, that he make 
no exertions himself, otherwise the action of the muscles may pull the 
feoae out of its place.* 

* Various pieces of machinery have been contrived for counteract- 
ing the force of the muscles, and retaining the fragments of broken 
bases ; but as descriptions ef these without drawings would be of Utth 



372 OF BROKEN BONES. 

It is of great importance to keep the patient dry and clean while id 
thu situation By neglecting (his, he is often so galled and excoriated, 
tha< he is forced to keep shifting places for ease. 1 have known a 
fractured thigh bone, after it had been kept straight for above a fort- 
night, -displaced by this means, and continue bent for life, in spite of 
all tha could be done. 

It has been customary when a bone was broken, to keep the limb 
for five or six weeks continually upon the stretch. But this is a bad 
posture. Ii is both uneasy to the patient, and unfavourable to the cure. 
Tiie be t situation i> to keep the limb a little bent. This is the pos- 
tun inio which 'very animal puts his limbs when it goes to rest, and 
id h inch fewest muscles are upon the stretch. It is easily effected, by 
en 'ier laying the ps. ien f upon his side, or making the bed so as to fa- 
vo iv this position of the bmb 

Bone-setters twght carefully to examine whether the bone be not 
sha tered or broken into several pieces In this cape it will sometimes 
be necessary to have the limb immediately taken off, otherwise a gan- 
grene or mortification may < nsue The horror which attends the very 
idea of an amputation, often occasions its being delayed in such cases 
till too late, j have known this principle operate so strongly, that a 
limb where the bones were shattered into more than twenty pieces, 
was not amputated before the third day after the accident, when the 
gangrene hdd proceeded 60 fur a<- to render the operation useless. 

When a fracture is accompanied with a wound, it must be dressed 
in all respects as a common wound. 

All thai art can do towards the cure of a broken bone, is to lay it 
perfectly straight, and to kftep it quite easy. Ali tight bandages do 
hurt They had much better be wanting altogether. A great many of the 
bad consequences which succeed to fractured bones are owing to tight 
Bandages, i his is one of the ways in which excess of art, or rather 
the abuse of it, docs more mischief than would be occasioned by the 
want of it. Some of the most sudden cures of broken bones which 
were ever known, happened where no bandages were applied at all. 
Some niftliod however must be taken to keep the member steady ; 
but this may be doi.e man) ways without bracing it with a tight ban- 
dage. 

use I stall refer 'he reader to a chop and useful performance " on the 
nature and cure of fractures." lately published by my ingenious friend 
Mr. Aiik<n, surgeon in Edinburgh; wherein that gentleman has not 
ouly given an account of the machines recommended in fractures by 
lonmi authors, but ha,s likewise added several improvements of his 
own, which are peculiarly useful in compound fractures, audio cases 
when p .licnts with broken bones are obliged to be transported Iron? 
fene place to another. 



OF STRAINS* S73 

tThe best method of retention is by two or more splints made of 
leather or pasteboard. These it' moistened be;ore the) bf. applied* 
soon assume the shape of the included member, an I are buiuufm, by 
the assistance of a very slight ban ia°;e, tar all the purposes of reten- 
tion. The bandage which we would recommend, is that made wish 
twelve or eighteen tails. It is mucti easier applied and iaktn oiftbau 
rollers, and answers all the purposes of retention equailj well. The 
splints should always be as long as the limb, with holes cut for die an- 
cles when die fracture is in the kg. 

In fractures of the ribs, wtiere a bandage cannot be properly used, 
an adiiesive plaster may be applied over the part. The paueni in this 
case ought to keep himself quite easy, avoiding every thing that may 
occasion sneezing, laughing, coughing, or the like. He ought to keep 
his body in a straight posture, and should take care that his stomach be 
constantly distended, by taking frequently some light food, and drink- 
ing freely of weak watery liquors 

The most proper external application for a fracture is oxycrate ct 
a mixture of vinegar and water. The bandages should be wet with 
this at every dressing. 

OF STRAINS. 

STRAINS are often attended with worse consequences than bre. 
ken bones. The reason is obvious ; they are generally neglected. 
When a bone is broken, the patient is obliged to keep the member ea- 
sy, because he cannot make use of it ; but when a joint is only strain- 
ed, the person finding he can still make a shift to move it, is sorry to 
lose his time for so trifling an ailment. la this way he deceives him- 
self, and converts into an incurable malady what might have been re- 
moved by only keeping the part easy for a few days. 

Country people generally immerse a strained limb in cold water. 
This is very proper provided it be done immediately, and not kept in 
too long. But the custom of keeping the part immersed in cold water 
for a long time is certainly dangerous. It relaxes instead of bracing 
the part, and is more likely to produce a disease than remove one. 

Wrapping a garter, or some other bandage, pretty tight about the 
strained part, is likewise of use. It helps to restore the proper tone 
of the vessles and prevents the action of the parts from increasing the 
disease. It should not however be applied too tight. I have fre- 
quently known bleeding near the affected part have a very good ef- 
fect ; but what we would recommend above all is ease. It is more to 
be depended on than any medicine and seldom fails to remove the com- 
plaint* 



* A great many external applications are recommended for strains, 
some of which du good, and others hurt. The following are such as 
ferny be used with the greatest safety, viz. poultices made of stale beer 



■374 

OF RUPTURES. 

CHILDREN anil old people are roost liable to this disease. la 
the former it is generally occasioned by excessive crying, couching, 
Vomiting or the like. In (he latter it is commonly theeffectof blow 
or violent exertions of the strength, as leaping carrying great weights, 
&c. In both a relaxed habit, indolence, and an oily or very moist di- 
et, dispose the body to th 

A rupture sometimes proves fatal before it is discovered. When- 
ever sickness, vomiting, and obs mate cosliveuess give reason to sus- 
pect au obstruction of the bowels, all those places where ruptures anal- 
ly happeu ought carefully to be examined The prolusion of a very 
small part of the gut uiil occasion ad these symptoms, and if not return- 
ed in due time, will prove fatal. 

On the first appearance of a rupture in an infant, it ought to be laid 
upon its back, with its head very low. While in this posture, if the 
gut does not return of itself, it ma) easily bej>utup by gentle pressure. 
Alter it is returned, a pirce of sticking .plaster may be applied over 
the part, and a proper truss or bandage must be constant!) worn for a 
considerable time. The method of making and applying these rupture 
bandages for children is pretty well known. The child must, as far as 
possible, be kept from crying, and from all violent exertions, till the 
rupture is quite healed. 

Iu adults, when the gut has been forced down with great violence, or 
happens from any cause to be inflamed, there is often great difficulty 
in returning it. and sometimes the thing is quite impracticable without 
an operation ; a description of which is foreign to our purpose. As 
I have bfcen fortunate enough, however, always to succeed in my at- 
tempts to return the gut, without having recourse to any other means 
than what are in the power of every man, I shall briefly mention the 
method which I generally pursue. 

After the patient has been bled, he'must be laid upon his back with 
his head very low, and his breach raised high with pillows. In this 
situation flannel cloths wrung out of a decoction of mallows and camo- 
mile floweis, or if these are not at hand, of warm water, must be appli- 
ed for a cousidera-ble time. A cluster made of this decoction, with a 
large spoonful of butter and an ounce or two of salt, may be afl .erwards 
thrown up. If these should not prove successful, recourse must be had 
to pressure. If the tumour be very hard, considerable force will be ne- 
cessary : but it is not force alone which succeeds here. The operator 
at the same time that he makes a pressure with the palms of his hands, 

or viuegar and oat-meal, camphorated spirits of wine, Miudererus's 
fpiiit, volatile linament, volatile aromatic spirit diluted with a double 
quantity of water, and the common fomentation, with the addiiiou of 
or spirit of wine. 



OF CASUALTIES. 373 

BHist with his fingers artfully conduct the gut in by the same aperture 
through which it came out. The manner of doing this can be much 
easier conveyed than described. Should these endeavours prove in- 
effectual, clysters of the smoke of tobacco may be tried. These have 
been often known to succeed where every other method failed. 

There is reason to believe that, by persisting in the use of these,* 
and such other means as the circumstances of the case may suggest, 
most hernias might be reduced without an operation. Cutting for the 
hernia rs a nice and difficult matter. [ would therefore advise sur- 
geons to try every method of returning the gut before they have re- 
course to the knite. I have once and again succeeded by persevering 
iu my endeavours, after em'ncut surgeons had declared the reduction 
of the gut impracticable without an operation.* 

An adult, after the gut has been returned, must wear a steel ban- 
dage. Tt is needless to describe this, as it may always be had ready- 
made from the artists. Such bandages are generally uneasy to th© 
"wearer for some time, but by custom tiiey become quite easy. No 
person who has had a rupture after he arrived at mau's estate should 
ever be without one of these bandages. 

Persons who have a rupture ought carefully to avoid all violent ex- 
ercise, carrying great weights, leaping, running and the like. They 
should likewise avoid windy aliment and strong liquors ; and should} 
carefully guard against catching cold, 



CHAPTER MIL 



OF CASUALTIES. 

IT is certain that life, when to all appearance lost, may often, by 
due care, be restored. Accidents frequently prove fatal, merely 
because proper means are not used to counteract their effects. 

No person ought to be looked upon as killed by any accident unless 
where the structure of the heart, brain, or some organ necessary to 

* I would here beg leave to recommend it to every practitioner, 
when his patient complains of pain iu the belly with obstinate costive- 
Bess, to examine the groins and every place where a rupture may hap- 
pen, in order that it may be immediately reduced. By neglecting 
this, many perish who were not suspected to have had ruptures, till af- 
ter they were dead, f itave known this happen where half a dozen of 
Ihe faculty were in attendance, 



;m OF CASUALTIES. 

life, is evident! y destroyed. T!ic action of these organs may be so fii* 
impaired as even to be for some sime imperceptible, when life is by no 
means gone. In this case, however, if the fluids be suffered to grow 
coM, it will be impossible to put them again in motion, even though 
the solids should recover their power of acting. Thus, when the mo- 
tion of the lungs have been stopt by unwholesome vapour, the action of 
the heart by a stroke on the breast, or the fuuetions of the brain by n 
blow on the head, if the person be suffered to grow cold, he will in all 
probability coutinue so; but, if the body be kept warm, as soon as the 
injured part has recovered its power of actios;, the fluids will again be- 
gin to move, ami all the vital functions will be restored. 

It is a horrid cm'om immediately to consign over to death every 
person who has the misfortune, by a fall, a blow, or the like to be de- 
prived of the appearance of life. The unhappy person, instead of be- • 
ins carried into a warm house, and laid by the fire, or put to a warm bed, 
is generally hurried away to church, or a barn, or some other cold damp 
house, where, after a fruitless attempt has been made to bleed him, 
perhaps by one who knew nothing of the matter, he is given over for 
dead, and no further notice taken of him. This conduct seems to be 
the result of ignorance, supported by an ancient superstitious notion 
which forbids the body of auy person killed by accident to be laid in 
an house that is inhabited. What the ground of this supers ition may 
be, we shall not pretend to iuquire ; but surety the condu- 1 founded 
upon it is contrary to all the principles of reason, humanity, and com- 
mon sense. 

When a person seems to be suddenly deprived of life, our first bu- 
siness is to inquire into the cause. We ought carefully to observe 
whether any substance be lodged in the windpipe or gullet; and if that 
is the case, attempts must be made to remove it. When unwholesome 
air is the cause, the patient ougfit immediately to be removed out of 
it. If the circulation be suddenly stopped from any cause whatever, 
except mere weakness, the patient should be bled. If the blood does 
not flow, he may be immersed in warm water, or rubbed with warm 
cloths, (tec. to promote the circulation. When the cause cannot be 
suddenly removed, our great aim must be to keep up the vital warmth, 
by rubbing the patient with hot cloths, or salt, and covering his body 
ivitii warm sand, ashes or the like. 

I should n w proceed to treat more fully of those accidents, which 
without immediate assistance, would often prove fatal, and to point out 
the most likely means for relieving the unhappy sufferers ; but as I 
have been happily anticipated in this part of my subject by the learned 
and humane Dr. Tissot, I shall content myself with selecting such of 
his oujpp- itions as seem to be the most important, and adding such of 
my own as have occured iu the course of practice. 



SUBSTANCES BETWEEN MO UTH <& STOMACH. 37 J 



OF SUBSTANCES STOPT BETWEEN TEE MOUTH AN® 
STOMACH. 

THOUGH accidents of this kind are very common, and extremely 
(dangerous, yet they are generally the effect of carelessness. Children 
should be taught to chew their food well, and to put nothing into their 
mouths which it would be dangerous for them to swallow. But chil- 
dren are not the only persons guilty of this piece of imprudence. I 
know many adults who put pins, nails, and other sharp pointed sub- 
stances into their mouths upon every occasion, and some who even 
sleep with the former there all night. This conduct is exceedingly 
injudicious, as a fit of coughing, or twenty other accidents, may force 
over the substance before the person is aware.* 

When any substance is retained in the gullet, there are two ways of 
removing it, vis. either by extracting it, or pushing it down. The sa- 
fest and most certain way is to extract it 5 but this is not always the 
easiest; it may therefore be more eligible sometimes to thrust it down, 
especially when the obstructing body is of such a nature, that there is 
no dauger from its reception into the stomach. The substances which 
may be pushed down without danger, are all common nourishing ones,, 
as bread, flesh, fruits, and (he like. All indigestible bodies, as cork, 
wood, bones, pieces of metal, and such like, ought if possible to be ex- 
tracted, especially if these bodies be sharp pointed, as pins, needles, 
fishbones, bits of glass, &c. 

When such substances have not passed iu too deep, we should en- 
deavour to extract them with our fingers, which method often suc- 
ceeds. When they are lower, we must make use of nippers, or a small 
pair of forceps, such as surgeons use. But this attempt to extract 
rarely succeeds, if the substance be of a flexible nature, and has de- 
scended far into the gullet. 

If the fingers and nippers fail, or cannot be duly applied, crotchets, 
a kind of hdoks, must be employed. These may be made at once, by 
bending a piece of pretty strong iron wire at one end, it must be intro- 
duced in the flat way ; and for the better conducting it, there should 
likewise be a curve or bending at the end it is held by, to serve as a 
kind of handle to it ; which has this further use, that it may be secu- 
red by a string tied to it, a circumstance not to be omitted in any in- 
strument employed on such occasions, to avoid such ill accidents as 
have sometimes ensued from these instruments slipping out of the ope- 
rator's hand. After the crotchet has passed below the substance that 
obstructs the passage, it is drawn up again, and hooks up the body 

* A woman in one of the hospitals of this city lately discharged a great 
number of pins, which she had swallowed in the course of her busines^ 
through an ulcer in her side. 



378 SUBSTANCES BETWEEN MOUTH & STOMACH. 

along with it. The crotchet is also very convenient, when a substance 
somewhat flexible, as a pin, or fish-bone sticks across the gullet, tho 
hook, in such cases, seizing them about their middle part, crooks and 
thus disengages them ; or, if they are very brittle substances, serves to 
break them. 

When the obstructing bodies are small, and only stop up a part of 
the passage, and which may either easily elude the hook, or straighten 
it by their resistance, a kind of rings, made either of wire, wool, or 
silk, may be used. A piece of fine wire of a proper length may be 
bent into a circle, about the middle, of about au inch diameter, and 
the long unbent sides brought parallel, and near each other : these 
are to be held in the hand, and the circular part or ring introduced 
into the gullet, in order to be conducted about the obstructing body, 
and so to extract it. More flexible rings may be made of wool, thread, 
silk, or small pack-thread, which may be waxed for their greater 
strength and consistence. One of these is to be tied, fast to a handle of 
iron wive, whalebone, or any kind of flexible wood, and by this means 
introduced, in order to surround the obstructing substance, and to draw 
it out Several of these rings passed through one another may be used, 
the more certainly to lay hold of the obstructing body; which may be 
involved by one, if another should miss it. These rings have one ad- 
vantage, which is, that when the substance to be extracted is once laid 
hold of, it may then, by turning the handle, be retained so strongly in 
the ring thus twisted, as to be moved every way, which must in many 
cases be a considerable advantage. 

Another material employed on these unhappy occasions, is the sponge. 
Its property of swelling considerably on being wet is the principle 
foundation of its usefulness here. If any substance is stopt in the gul- 
let, but without filling up the whole passage, a bit of sponge may be in- 
troduced into that part which is unstopt, and beyond the substance. 
The sponge soon dilates, and grows larger in this moist situation; and 
indeed the enlargement of it may be forwarded by making the patient 
swallow a few drops of water. Afterwards it is to be drawn back by 
the handle to which it is fastened ; and as it is now too large to return 
through the small cavity by which it was conveyed in, it draws out the 
obstructing body aloug with it. 

The compressibility of sponge is another foundation of its usefulness 
in such cases. A pretty large piece of sponge may be compressed or 
ecjeezed into a small size, by winding a string of tape closely about if, 
which may be easily unwound, and withdrawn, after the sponge has been 
introduced. A bit of sponge may likewise be compressed b} a piece of 
whale bone split at one end ; but this can hardly be introduced in such 
a manner as not to hurt the patient. 

I have often known pin< and other sharp bodies, which had stuck in 
the throat, brought up by causing the peison to swallow a bit of toush 
meat tied to a thread, aud drawing it quickly up again. This is s. 1 



WBSTJNCES BETWEEN MO UTH & STOMACH, m 

than swallowing a sponge, and will often answer the purpose equall j 
well- 
When all these methods prove unsuccessful, there remains one more, 
which is, to make the patient vomit ; but this can scarcely be of any 
service, unless when such obstructing bodies are simply engagtd in, 
and not hooked or stuck into the sides of the gullet, as in this case 
vomiting might sometimes occasion further mischief. If the patient 
can swallow, vomiting may be excited by taking half a drachm or two 
scruples of ipecacuanha in powder made into a draught. II' he is not 
able to swallow, an attempt may be made to excite vomiting, by tick- 
ling his threat with a feather ; and, if that should not succeed, a clyster 
of tobacco may be administered. It is made by boiling an ounce of to- 
bacco in a sufficient quantity of water; this has often been found to 
succeed, when other attempts to excite vomiting had failed. 

When the obstructing body is of such a nature tliat it may with safe- 
ty be pushed downwards, this may be attempted by means of a wax- 
candle oiled, and a little heated, so as to make it flexible ; or a piece 
cf whale-bone, wire, or flexible wood, with a sponge fastened to one 
end. 

Should it be impossible to extract even those bodies which it is dan- 
gerous to admit into the stomach, we must then prefer the least of two 
evils, and rather run the hazard of pushing them down than suffer the 
patient to perish in a few minutes; and we ought to scruple this resolu- 
tion the less, as a great many instances have happened, where the swal- 
lowing of such hurtful and indigestible substances have been followed 
fey no disorder. 

Whenever it is manifest that all endeavours, either to extract or 
push down the substance, must prove ineffectual, they should be dis- 
continued ; because the inflammation occasioned by persisting in them 
might be as dangerous as the obstruction itself. Some have died in 
consequence of the inflammation, even after the body which caused the 
obstruction had been entirely removed. 

While the means recommended above are making use ot, the pa- 
tient should often swallow, or, if he cannot, he should frequently re- 
ceive by injection through a crooked tube or pipe that may reach 
down to the gullet, some emollient liquor, as warm milk and water, 
barley-water, or a decoction of mallows. Injections of this kind not 
only soften and sooth the irritated parts, but, when thrown in with 
force, are often more successful in loosening the obstruction than all 
attempts with instruments. 

When, after all our endeavours, we are obliged to leave the ob- 
structing body in the part, the patient must be treated as if he had 
an inflammatory disease. He should be bled, kept upon a low diet^, 
and have his whole neqk surrounded with emollient poultices. The 
like treatment must also be used, if there be any reason to suspect 
an inflammation of the passages, though the obstructing body be m* 
•moved. 



380 OF BROWNED PERSONS. 

A proper degree of agitation has sometimes loosened the inhering 
body more effectually than instruments. Thus a blow on the back has 
often forced up a substance which stuck in the gullet ; but this is still 
more proper and efficacious when the substance gets iuto the wind- 
pipe In this case vomiting and sneezing are likewise to be excited. 
Pi.js which stuck in the gullet hare been frequently discharged by 
riding on horseback, or in a carriage. 

When any indigestible substance has been forced down into the 
stomach, the patient should use a very mild aud smooth diet, consist- 
ing chiefly of fruits and farinaceous substances, as puddings, pottage, 
and soups. He should avoid all heating aud irritating things, as wine, 
punch, pepper, aud such like ,• aud his drink should be milk aud wa- 
ter, barley-water, or whey. 

When the gullet is so strongly and fully closed, that the patient can 
receive no food by the moUih, he must be nourished by lysters of 
soup, jelly, and the like. 

When i he patient is iu danger of being immediately suffocated, and 
all hope of freeing the passage is vanished, so that death seems at 
respirati : be not restored ; the operation of broncholomy> 
or opening the wind-pipe, must be directly performed. As this opera- 
tion is neither difficult to an expert surgeon, nor very painful to the 
patient, and is often die only method which can be taken to preserve life 
in these emergencies, we thought proper to mention it, though it should 
on!) be attempted by persous skilled in surgery. 

OF DROWNED PERSONS. 

"WHEN a person has remained above a quarter of an hour under 
water, there can be no considerable hopes of his recovery. But as 
several circumstances may happen to have continued life, in such an 
unfortunate situation, beyond the ordinary term, we should never too 
soon resign the unhappy object to his fate, but try every method for 
his relief, as there are many well attested proofs of the recovery of 
persons to life and health who had been taken out of the water ap- 
parent!) dead, and who remained a considerable time without exhibit- 
ing any signs of life. 

The first thing to be done, after the body is taken out of the water, 
is to convey it as soon as possible to some convenient place where the 
necessary operations for its recovery may be performed. Iu doing this, 
care must bo taken not to bruise or injure the body by carrying it iu 
any unnatural posture with the head downwards, or the like. If an 
adult body, it ought to be laid on a bed, or on straw with the head a 
litde raised, aud carried on a carl or men's shoulders, and kept iu as 
natural aud easy a position as possible. A small body may be carried 
In the arms. 

In Attempting to recover persons apparently drowned, the principal 
Intention to be pursued is, to restore the natural warmth, upon which 



OF DROtVNED PERSONS. ggl 

all the vita! functions depend ; and to excite these functions by the ap- 
plication of stimulants, not only to the skin, but likewise to the lungs, 
intestines, &c. 

Though cold was by no means the cause of the person's death, yet 
it will prove an effectual obstacle to his recovery. For this reason, 
stripping him of his wet clothes, his body must be strongly rubbed 
for a considerable time with coarse linen cloths, as warm as they caa 
be made ; and as soon as a well- heated bed can be got ready, he may 
belaid in it, and the rubbing should be continued. Warm cloths 
ought likewise to be frequently applied to the stomach and bowels, and 
hot bricks, or bottles of warm- water, to the soles of his feet, and trf 
the palms of his hands. 

Strong volatile spirits should be frequently applied to the nose ; and 
the spine of the back and pit of the stomach may be rubbed with warm 
brandy or spirit of wine. The temples ought also to be chafed 
with volatile spirits ; and stimulating powders, as that of tobacco or 
marjoram, may be blown up the nostrils. 

To renew the breathing a strong person may blow his own breath 
into the patient's mouth with all the force he can, holding his nostrils 
at the same time. When it can be perceived by the rising of the 
•chest or belly that the lungs are filled with air, the person ought to de- 
sist from blowing, aud should press the breast and belly so as to expell 
the air again ; and this operation may be repeated for some time, al- 
ternately inflating and depressing the lungs so as to imitate natural res- 
piration. 

If the lungs cannot be inflated in this manner, it may be attempted 
by blowing through one of the nostrils, and at the same time keeping 
the other close. Dr. Monro for this purpose recommends a wooden 
pipe fitted at one end for filling the nostril, and at the other for being 
blown into by a person's mouth, or for receiving the pipe of a pair of 
bellows, to be employed for the same purpose, if necessary. 

When air cannot be forced into the chest by the mouth or nose, it 
may be necessary to make an opening into the wind- pipe for this pur- 
pose. It is needless, however, to spend time in describing this opera* 
tion, as it should not be attempted unless by persons skilled in surgery. 

To stimulate the intestines, the fume of tobacco may be thrown tip 
in form of clyster. There are various pieces of apparatus contrived 
for this purpose which may be used when at hand ; but where these 
cannot be obtained, the business may be done by a common tobacco 
pipe. The bowl of the pipe must be filled with tobacco well kindled, 
aud, after the small tube has been introduced into the fundament, the 
smoak may be forced up by blowing through a piece of paper full of 
holes wrapped round the mouth of the pipe, or by blowing through ad 
empty pipe, the mouth ©f which is applied close to that of the other. 
This may also be done in the following manner : A common clyster- 
jpipe with a bag mounted upon it may be introduced into the funda- 



: :.2 OF DROWNED PERSONS. 

nient, and the mouth of the bag may be applied round the small ehd 
of a tobacco- pipe, in tbe bowl of which touacco is L o be kimlleu, and 
the sraoke btawu up as directed above. Should it he found i.npi.icli- 
cable to throw up the smoke of tobacco, clystf is 01 war>b water, 
with the addition of a little salt and some wiue or spirits, ma) be fre- 
quently administered. This may be dooe by a common cl) ster bag 
and pipe ; but, as it ought to be thrown well up, a pretiy large s) riuge 
will answer the purpose better. 

While these things are doing, some of the attendants ou^ht to be 
preparing a warm bath, into which the person should be put, if the abv)ve 
endeavours prove ineffectual. Where there are no corn ententes lor 
using the warm bath, the body mav be coveied with warm ShiL sand, 
ashes, grains, or such like. Tissot mentions an instance ol a girl who 
was restored to life, after she had beeu taken out of Urn water, scal- 
ed, bloated, and to all appearance dead, by laying her naked body 
upon hot ashes, covering her with others equally not, putting a bou- 
uet round her head, and a stocking round hei ueck, scuffed witb die 
tame, and heaving coverings over all After she had reaiaiued half 
an hour in this situation, her puise returned, .'Ue recovered speech, 
and cried out, lfrc(~e ; I freeze ; a little cherry brand) was given 
her, and she remained buried as it were under ;ne ashes tor eight hours ; 
afierwards she was taken out, without any other compaiut except that 
of lassitude or weariness, which went off iu a few days. The Doctor 
mentions likewise an instance of a man who was restored to life, 
after he had remained six hours under water, by the heat of a dung- 
hill. 

Till the patient shows some signs of life, and is able <o swallow, it 
would be useless and even dangerous to pour liquors into his mouth. 
His lips however, and tongue, may be frequently wet with a (■■ ather 
dipt in warm brandy or other strong spirits : and, as soon as he is re- 
covered the power of swallowing, a little warm wine, or some other 
Cordial, ought every now and then to be administered. 

Some recommend a vomit after the patient is a little re- animated ; 
but if he can be made to puke without the sickening draught, it will 
be more safe ; this may generally be done by tickling the throat and 
fauces with an oiled feather, or some other soft substance, which will 
not injure the parts. Tissot in this case recommends the oxymel of 
squills, a table- spoonful of which, diluted with water, may be given 
every quarter of an hour, till the patient has taken five or six doses. 
Where that medicine is not at hand, a strong infusion of sage, camo- 
mile- flowers, or carduns benetlictus, sweetened with honey, or some 
warm water, with the addition of a little salt, may, he says, supply 
its place. The Doctor does not intend that any of these things should 
be given in such quantity as to occasion vomiting. He thinks emetic* 
in this situation are oot expedient. 



OF NOXIOUS VAPOURS. 3&a 

We. are by no means to discontinue our assistance as soon s-s the pa.- 
tients discover some tokens of life, since they sometimes expire after 
the^e first appearances of recovering. The warm and stimulating ap- 
plications are still to be continued, and small quantities of some cordial 
liquor ought frequently to be administered. Lastly, though the person 
should be manifestly re-animated, there sometimes remains an oppres- 
sion, a cough, and feverishuess, which effectually constitute a disease, 
In this case it will be necessary to bleed the patient in the arm, and to 
cause him to drink plentifully of barley-water, elder-flower-tea, or any- 
other *oi't pectoral iutusions. 

Such persons as have the misfortune to be deprived of the appear- 
ances of life, by a fall, a blow, suffocation, or the like, must be treated 
Beariy in the same manner as those who have been for some time under 
water 1 once attended a patient who was so stunned by a fall from a 
horse, that for above six hours he scarcely exhibited any signs of life ; 
yet this man, by being bled, and proper methods taken to keep up the 
vital warm'h, recovered, and iu a few days was perfectly well. Dr. 
Alexander gives an instance to the same purpose in the Edinburgh 
Physical and Literary Essays, of a man who was to all appearance 
killed by a blo.v on the breast, but recovered upon being immersed for 
sometime in warm water. These, and other instances of a similar na- 
ture, which might be adduced, amount to a full proof of this fact, that 
many of those unhappy persons who lose their lives by falls, blows, and 
other accidents, might be saved by the use of proper means duly per™ 
fisted it}. 

OF NOXIOUS VAPOURS. 

AIR may be many ways rendered noxious, or even destructive to 
animals. This may either happen from its vivifying principles being 
destroyed, or from subtle exhalations with which it is impregnated, 
Thus air that has passed through burning fuel is neither capable of 
supporting fire nor the life of auimals. Hence the danger of sleeping 
in close chambers with coal fires. Some indeed suppose the danger 
here proceeds from the sulphurious oil contained in the coal, which is 
set at liberty and diffused all over the chamber ; while others imagine 
it is owing to the air of the room being charged with phlogiston. Be 
this as it may, it is a situation carefully to be avoided. Indeed it is 
dangerous to sleep in a small apartment with a fire of any kind. I 
latelj saw four persons who had been suffocated by sleeping in an 
apartment where a small fire of coal had been left burning. 

The vapour which exhales from wine, cider, beer, or other liquors 
m the state of fermentation, contains something poisonous, which kills 
•in the same manner as the vapour of coal. Hence there is always 
danger in going into cellars where a large quantity of these liquors is 
jjj a state of fomentation, especially if they have been close shut up foir 



234 GF NOXIOUS VAPOURS. 

some time. There have been many instances of persons struck dead 
on entering such places, and of others rho have with difficulty escaped. 

Wheu subterraneous caves, that have been very long shut, are opened 
or when deep wells are cleaned, which have not been emptied for seve- 
ral years, the vapours arising from them produce the same effects as 
those mentioned above. For this reason no person ought to venture 
into a well, pit, cellar, or auy place that is damp, and has been long 
shut up, till the air has been sufficiently purified, by burning gunpow- 
der in it. It is easy to know, as has been observed in a former part 
of this work, when the air of such places is unwholesome, by letting 
down a lighted candle, throwing in burning fuel, or the like. If these 
continue to burn, people may safely venture in ; but where they are 
suddenly extinguished, no one ought to enter till the air has been first 
purified by fire. 

The offeusive smell of lamps and of candles, especially when their 
flames are extinguished, operate like other vapours, though with less 
violence, and less suddenly. There have however been instances of 
people killed by the fumes of lamps, which had been extinguished in 
a close chamber, and persons of weak delicate breasts generally find 
themselves quickly oppressed in apartments illuminated with many 
candles. 

Such as are sensible of their danger in these situations, and retreat 
seasonably from it, are generally relieved as soon as they get into the 
open air, or, if they have any remaining uneasiness, a little water and 
vinegar, or lemonade, drank hot, affords them relief. But when they 
are so far poisoned as to have lost their feeling and understanding, the 
following means must be used for their recovery. 

The patient should be exposed to a very pure, fresh, and open air, 
and volatile salts, or -other stimulating substances, held to his nose. He 
should next be bled in the arm. or if that does not succeed, in the n-.ck. 
His legs ought to be put into warm water, and well rubbed. As soon 
as he can swallow, some lemonade, or water, and vinegar with the addi- 
tion of a little nitre, may be given him. 

Nor are sharp clysters by any means to be neglected ; these may 
be made, by adding to the common clyster, syrup of buckthorn and 
tincture of senna, of each two ounces ; or in their stead, half an ounce 
of Venice turpentine dissolved in the yolk of an egg. Should thess 
things not be at hand, two or three large spoonsful of common salt may 
be put into the clyster. The same means, if hecessary, which were 
recommended in the former part of this chapter, may be used to re- 
store the circulation, warmth, &c. 

Mr. Toss'ach, surgeon at Alloa, relates the case of a man suffoca- 
ted by the steam of burning coal, whom he recovered by blowing hi* 
breath into the patient's mouth, bleeding him in the arm and causing 
him to be well rubbed and tossed about. And Dr. Fre wen, of Susaesr, 
mentions the case of a , oung man who was stupified by the smok< 



EFFECTS OF EXTREME COLD. 385 

eoal, but was recovered by being plunged into cold water, and after- 
wards laid in a warm bed. 

The practice of plunging persons suffocated by noxious vapours iu 
cold water, would seem to be supported by the common experiment 
of Suffocating dogs in the grotto del cani, and afterwards recovering 
them, by throwing them into the neighboring lake. 

EFFECTS OF EXTREME COLD. 

WHEN" cohl is extremely severe, and a person is exposed to it for 
p. lofig time, it proves mortal, in consequence of its stopping the circu- 
lation in the exiremiries, and forcing too great a proportion of blood to- 
wards the brain ; so that the patient dies of a kind of apoplexy, prece- 
ded by great sleepiness. The traveller, in this situation, who finds 
himself begin to grow drowsy, should redouble his efforts to extricate 
himself from the imminent danger he is exposed to. This sleep which 
he might consider as some alleviation of his sufferings, would, if indul- 
ged prove his last. 

Such violent effects of cold are happily not very common in this 
country ; it frequently happens, however, that the hands or feet of 
travellers are so benumbed or frozen, as to be in danger of a mortifi- 
cation, if proper means are not used to prevent it. The chief danger 
in this situation arises from the sudden application of heat. It is very 
common, when the hands or feet are pinched with cold, to hold them 
to the fire ; yet reason and observation show that this is a most dange- 
rous and imprudent practice. 

Every peasant knows, if frozen meat, fruits, or roots of any kind be 
brought near the fire, or put into warm water, they will be destroyed 
by rottenness or a kind of mortification; and that the only way to re- 
cover them, is to immerse them for some time in very cold water. 
The same observation holds with regard to animals in this condition. 

When the hands or feet are greatly bemirabed with cold, they ought 
cither to be immersed in cold water, or rubbed with snow, till they re- 
cover their natural warmth and sensibility ; after which the person 
may be removed into an apartment a little warmer, and may drink: 
some cups of tea, or an infusion of elder flowers sweeteued with hon- 
ey. Every person must have observed, when his hands were even 
but slightly effected with cold, that the best way to warm them was by 
washing them in cold water, and continuing to rub them well for some 
lime. 

When a persou has been so long exposed to the cold, that all ap- 
pearances of life are gone, it will be necessary to rub him all over with 
snow or cold water; or, what will answer better, if it can be obtained, 
to immerse him in a bath of the very coldest water. There is the 
greatest encouragement to persist in the use of these means, as we are 
~ sn> :! that persons who had remained in the snow, or had been ex> 
49 



386 EFFECTS OF EXTREME HEAT, &c, 

posed to the freezing air during five or six successive days, and wb* 
had discovered no marks of life for several hours, have nevertheless 
been revived. 

I have always thought that the whitloes, kibes, chilblains, and other 
inflammations of the extremities which are so commou among the peas- 
ants m (he cold season, were chiefly occasioned by their sudden transi- 
tions from cold to heat. After they have beeu exposed to an extreme 
degree of cold, they immediately apply their hands and feet to the fire, 
or, if ihey hare occasion plunge them into warm water, by which 
means, if a mortification does not happen, an inflammation seldom 
fails to ensue. Most of the ill consequences from this quarter might 
be easily avoided, by only observiug the precautions mentioned above. 

EFFECTS OF EXTREME HEAT. 

THE effects of extreme heat, though not so common in this country, 
are no less fatal and much more sudden than those of cold. In hot coun- 
tries people frequently drop down dead in the streets, exhausted with 
heal and fatigue. Iu this case, if auy warm cordial can be poured 
into the mouth, it ought to be done. If this cannot be effected, they 
may be thrown up in form of a clyster. Volatile spirits and other 
thing? of a simulating nature, may be applied to the skin, which should 
he W( 'I rubbed with coarse cloths, whipped with nettles, or »>tlier slim*, 
ulaiins things. Some of the ancient physicians are said to have resto- 
ltd to life persons apparently dead by beating them with rods. 



CHAPTER LIV. 



OF FAINTING FITS, AND OTHER CASES WHICH 
REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. 

STRONG and healthy persons, who abound with blood, ave often 
seized with sudden fainting fits, after violent exercise, drinking 
freely ef warm or strong liquors, exposure to great heat, intense ap- 
plication to study, or the like. 

Iu such cases the pruieut should be made to smell to some vinegar. 
His temples, forehead and wrists, ought at the same time to be bathed 
with vinegar mixed with an equal quantity of warm water; and two 
or thiee spoonsful of vinegar, with lour or five times as much water, 
May, if he can swallow, be poured into hi. mouth. 

If the fainting proves obstinate, or degenerates into a syncope, that 
is, an abolition of feeling and understanding, the patient must be bled. 
After the bleeding, a clyster will be proper, and then he should b? 



OF FAINTING FITS, &h. U1 

kept easy and quiet, only giving him every half hour a cup or two of 
an infusion of any mild vegetable, with the addition of a little sugar 
and vinegar. 

When swoonings, which arise from this eause occur frequently in 
the same person, he should, in order to escape them, confine himself 
to a light diet, consisting chiefly of bread, fruits, and other vegeta- 
bles. His drink ought to be water or small beer, and he should sleep 
but moderately, and take much exercise. 

But fainting fits proceed much oftener from a defect than an excess 
of blood. Hence they are very ready to happen after great evacua- 
tions of any kind, obstinate watching, want of appetite, or such like. In 
these, an almost directly opposite course to that mentioned above, 
must be pursued. 

The patient should be laid in bed, with his head low, and being co- 
vered, should have his legs, thighs, arms, and his Avhole body rubbed 
strongly with flannels. Hungary- water, volatile salts, or strong smell- 
ing herbs, as rue, mint, or rosemary, may be held to his nose. His 
mouth may be Wet with a little rum or brandy ; and if he can swal- 
low, some hot wine, mixed with sugar and cinnamon, which is an ex- 
cellent cordial, may be poured into his mouth. A compress of flannel 
dipt in hot wine or brandy must be applied to the pit of his stomach, 
and warm bricks, or bottles filled with hot water laid to his feet. 

As soon as the patient is recovered a little, he should take some 
strong soup or broth, of a little bread or biscuit soaked in hot spiced 
wine. To prevent the return of the fits, he ought to take often, but 
in small quantities, some light yet strengthening nourishment, as pana- 
da, made with soup instead of water, new laid eggs lightly poached, 
chocolate, light roast meats, jellies, and such like. 

Those fainting fits, which are the effect of bleeding, or of the vio- 
lent operation of purges, belong to this class. Such as happen after 
artificial bleeding, are seldom dangerous, generally terminating as 
soon as the patient is laid upon the bed ; indeed persons subject to this 
kind should always be bled lying, in order to prevent it. Should the 
fainting however continue longer than usual, volatile spirits may be 
held to the nose, and rubbed on the temples, &c. 

When fainting is the effect of tco strong or acrid purges or vomits, 
the patient must be treated in all respects as if he had taken poison. 
He should be made to drink pjeotifully of milk, warm water, and oil, 
barley water, or such like emmollieut ciysters will likewise be proper, 
and the patient's strength should afterwards be recruited, by giving 
him generous cordials, and anodyne medicines. 

JFaintings are often occasioned by indigestion. This may either 
proceed from the quantity or quality of the food. When the former 
of these is the cause, the cure will be best performed by^ vomitings 
which may be promoted by causing the patient to drink a weak iutw- 
%ioa of camomile flowers, car dam bsnsdicUis, qv the like. When tht 



033 OF FAINTING FITS, &s. 

i proceeds from the rature of the food, the patient as io the* 
ease of weakness, must be revived by strong smells, &c. af'er which 
lie should be made to swallow a large quantity of light warm fluid, 
which may sferve to drown, as it were, the offending matter, to sofieu 
Its acrimony, and either to effect a discharge of it by vomiting* 01 
force it down into the intestines. 

Even disagreeable smells will sometimes occasion swooniogs, espe- 
cially in people of weak nerves. When this happens, the patient should 
be carried in the open air, have stimulating things held to his nose, 
and those substances which are disagreeable to him ought immediately 
to be removed. But we have ahead) taken notice of swooning* 
winch arise from nervous disorders, and shall therefore say no more 
Upon that head. 

Fainting-fits often happen in the progress of diseases. In the be- 
ginning of putrid diseases they generally denote an oppression at the 
stomach, or a ma?.; of corrupted humours, and they cease after evac- 
naj<i eil ! vomit or stool. When they occur at the beginning 
of malignant fevers, they indicate gr.eat danger. In each of these 
casep, vinegar used both externally and internally is the best remedy 
during the paroxysm, and plenty of lemon juice and water after it. 
Swooi logs which happen in diseases accompanied with great evat ca- 
tions, must be treated like these which are owing to weakness, and the 
evacuations ought to be restrained. Wheu they happen towards the 
end of a violent fit of an intermitting fever, or at thai of each exa- 
cerbation of a continual fever, the patient must be supported by small 
draughts of wine and water. 

Delicate and hysteric women are very liable fo swooning or fainting 
fits after delivery. '1 he^e might be often prevented by generous cor- 
dials, and the admission of fresh air. When they are occasioned by 
excessive flooding, it ought by all means to be restrained They are 
generally the effect of mere weakness or exhaustion. Dr. Eugh man, 
relates the case of a woman '-in child- bed, who, after having been 
happily delivered, suddenly fainted and lay upwards of a quarter of 
an hour apparently dead, A physician was sent for; her own maid 
in the mean while, being out of patience at his delay, attempted to 
assist her herself, and extending herself upon her mistress, applied her 
mouth to her'Sj blew in as much breath as she postibly could, and in a 
very short time the exhausted woman awaked as out of a profound 
sleep ; when pioper things bfing given her, she soon recovered. 

" J he maid being asked how the came to think of this expedient, 
said she had seen it practised at Altcnburgh, by midwives, upon child- 
ren, with the happiest effect." 

We mention this chiefly that other midwives may be induced to fol- 
low so laudable an example. lVJany children are born without any 
feigns oi life, and others expire soon after their birth, who might with- 
out all doubt, by proper cave, be restored to life. 



OF INTOXICATION. StU 

jfrom whatever cause fainting-fits proceed, fresh sir is always of the 
greatest importance, to the patient. E) not attending to this circum- 
stance, people often kill their friends when they are endeavouring to 
save them. Alarmed at the patient's situation, they caii in a crowd 
of people to his assistance, or perhaps to witness ids exit, whose breath- 
ing exhausts the air,- and increases the danger. There is not the least 
doubt but this practice, which is very common among the lower sort 
of people, often proves fatal, especially to the delicate and such per- 
sons as fall into fainting-fits from mere exhaustion or the violence of 
some disease. Ko more persons ought ever to be admitted into the 
room where the patient lies in a swoon than are absolutely necessary 
for his assistance, and the wis:dows of the apartment should always be 
opened, as least as far as to admit a stream of fresh air. 

Persons subject to frequent swoonings, or fainting fits, should neglect 
no means to remove the cause of them, as their consequences are al- 
ways injurious to ihe constitution Ever) fainting fit haves the person 
in dejection and weakness ; the secretions are thereby suspended, the 
humours disposed to stagnation, coagulations and obstructions are 
formed, and if the motion of the blood be totally intercepted, or very 
considerably checked, polypuses are sometimes formed in the heart or 
larger vessels. The only kind of svvoonings not to be dreaded are those 
which some time mark the crisis in fevers ; yet even these ought, as 
soon as possible, to be removed. 

OF INTOXICATION. 

THE effects of intoxication are often fatal* No kind of poison 
kills more certainly than any over dose of ardent spirits. .Sometimes, 
by destroying the nervous energy, they put an end to life at once ; hut 
in general their effects are more slow, and in many respects similar to 
those of opium. Other kinds of intoxicating liquors may prove fatal 
when taken to excess, as well as ardent spirits ; but they may general- 
ly be discharged by vomiting, which ought always to be excited when 
the stomach is overcharged with liquor. 

More of those unhappy persons, who die intoxicated, lose their lives 
from an inability to conduct themselves, than from the destructive qual- 
ity of the liquor. Unable to walk, they tumble down, and lie in some 
awkward posture, which obstructs the circulation or breathing, and often 
continue in this situation till they die. No drunken person should be 
left by himself, till his clothes have been loosened, and his body laid in 
such a posture as is most favourable for continuing the vital motions, 
discharging the contents of the stomach, &c. The best posture for dis- 
charging the contents of the stomach is to lay the person on his belly • 
when asleep he may be laid on his side, with his head a little raised, 
and particular care must be taken that his neck be no way ben^ twist- 
ed, or have any thing too tight about it. 



&36 OF INTOXICATION. 

The excessive degree of thirst occasioned by drinking strong liquors, 
often induces people to quench it by taking what is hurtful. I have known 
fatal consequences even from drinking freely of mifk after a debauch of 
w ine or sour punch ; these acid liquors, together with the heat of the stom- 
«ch, having coagulated the milk iu such a manner that it could never 
be digested. The safest drink alter a debauch is water with a toast, 
tea, infusions of balm, sage, barley-water and such like. If the person 
wants to vomit, he may drink a weak infusion of camomile flowers, or 
lukewarm water and oil; but iu this condition vomi'ing may geneially 
be excited by only tickling the throat with the fin»er or a fea'her. 

Instead of giving a detail of all the different symptoms of intoxica- 
tioa which indicate danger, and proposing a general plan of treatment 
for persons in this situation, I shall briefly relate the history of a case 
■which lately fell under my own observation, wherein most of those 
symptoms usually reckoned daugerous concurred, and where the treat- 
ment was successful. 

A young man, about fifteen years of age, had, for a hire drank ten 
glasses of strong brandy. He soon after fell fast asleep, and continued 
in thnt situation for several hours, till at length his uneasy manner of 
breathing, the coldness of the extremities, and other threatening symp- 
toms, alarmed his friends, and made them send for me. 1 found him 
still sleeping, his countenance ghastly, and his skin covered with a 
cold clammy sweat. Almost the only signs of life remaining were, a 
deep laborious breathing, and a convulsive motion or agitation of his 
bowels. 

I tried to rouse him, but iu vain, by pinching, shaking, applying 
▼olatile spirits, and other stimulating things to his nose, &c. A few 
ounces of blood were likewise taken from his arm, and a mixture of 
vinegar and water was poured into his mouth ; but, as he could not 
swallow, very little of this got into the stomach. None of these things 
haying the least effect, and the danger seeming to increase, I ordered 
his hgs to be put into warm water, and a sharp clyster to be immedi- 
ately administered. This gave him a stool, and was the first thing 
that relieved him. It was afterwards repeated with the same happy 
effect, and seemed to be the chief cause of his recovery. He then 
began to show some signs of life, took drink when it was offered him, 
and came gradually to his senses. He continued, however, for seve- 
ral days weak and feverish, aud complained much of a soreness in 
iiis bowels, which gradually went off, by means of a slender diet, and 
«ool mucilagiuous liquors. 

This young man would probably have been suffered to die without 
any assistance being called, had not a neighbour a few days before, 
who had been advised to drink a bottle of spirits, to cure him of a* 
under very s-imilar ci . nmstances. 



591 
OF SUFFOCATION AND STRANGLING. 

THESE may sometimes proceed from an infraction of the lungs, 
produced by viscid clammy humours, or spasmodic affection of the 
nerves of that organ. Persons who feed grossly, and abound in rich 
blood, are very liable to suffocating fits from the former of these caus- 
es. Such ought as soon as they are attacked, to be bled, to receive 
an emollient clyster, and to take frequently a cup of diluting liquor 
with a little nitre in it. They should likewise receive the steams 
of hot vinegar into their lungs by breathing. 

Nervous and asthmatic persons are most subject to spasmodic affec- 
tions of the lungs. In this case the patient's legs should be immersed 
in warm water,- and the steams of vinegar applied as above. Warm 
diluting liquors should likewise be drank; to a cup of which a tea- 
spoonful of the parygoric elixir may occasionally be added. Burnt 
paper, feathers, or leather, may be held to the patient's nose, and fresh 
air should be freely admitted to him. 

Infants are often suffocated by the carelessness or inattention of their 
nurses.* An infant when in bed should always be laid so that it can- 
not tumble down with its head under the bed-clothes ; and when in a, 
cradle, its face ought never to be covered. A small degree of atten- 
tion to these two simple rules would save the lives of many infants, 
and prevent others from being rendered weak and sickly all their days 
by the injuries Uone to their lungs. 

Instead of laying down a plan for the recovery of infants who are 
suffocated, or overlaid, as it is termed by their nurses, I shall give the 
history of a case related by Monsieur Janin, of the Royal College of 
Surgery at Paris, as it was attended with success, and contains almost 
every thing that can be done on such occasions. 

A nurse having had the misfortune to over- lay a child, he was call- 
ed in and found the infant without any signs of life ; no pulsation in the 
arteries, no respiration, the face livid, the eyes open, dull, and tarn- 
ished, the nose full of snivel, the mouth gaping, in short, it was almost 
cold. Whilst some linuen clothes and a parcel of ashes were warming, 
he had the boy unswathed, and laid him in a warm bed, and on the 
right side. He then was rubbed all over with fine linnen, for fear 
of fretting his tender and delicate skin. As soon as the ashes had re- 
ceived their due degree of heat, Mr. Janin buried him in them, ex- 
cept the face, placed him on the side opposite to that on whirh he had 
been at first laid, and covered him with a blanket. He had a bottle 

* These accidents are not always the effects of carelessness. I have 
known an infant overlaid by its mother being seized in the night with 
an hysterick fit. This ought to serve as a caution against employing 
hysteric women as nurses, and should likewise teach such women ne- 
ver to lay an infant in the same bed with themselves, but in a erasH ad- 
jucent one. 



3 02 OF PERSONS WHO EXPIRE 

of eau dc luce in his pocket, which he presented to his nose from time 
to time; and between whiles some puffs of tobacco were blown up lira 
nostrils: to these succeeded the blowing into bis mouth, and squeezing 
ti»ht his nose. Animal heat began thus >o be excited gradually ; the 
pulsations of the temporal artery were soon felt, the breathing became 
more frequent and free, and the eyes closed and opened alternately. 
At length the child fetched some cries expressive of his want ot the 
b-east "which being applied to his mouth, he catched at it with avidity 
and sucked as if nothing hid happened to him. Though the pulsations, 
of the arteries were by this time very well reestablished, and it was 
hot weather yet Mr. Janin thought it advisable to leave his little pa- 
tient three quarters of an hour longer under the ashes. He was alier- 
wards taken out, cleaned and dressed as usual; to which a gentle sleep 
succeeded, and he continued perfectly well. 

Mr Jvriu mentions likewise an example of a young man who had 
hanged himself through despair, to whom he administered help as ei- 
fectually as in the preceding case. 

Mr Glover Surgeon in Doctors commons, London, relates the case 
of. a person who was restored to life after twenty- nine minutes hanging, 
aii . continued in good health for many years after. ; 

The principal means used to restore this man to life were, opening the 
temporal artery and the external jugular; rubbing the back, mouth, 
and .neck with a quantity of volatile spirits and oil; administering the 
tobacco clyster by means of lighted pipes, and strong frictions of the 
lea 8 and arms. This course had been continued for about four hours 
when an incision was made into the windpipe, and air blown strongly 
triroii'h a canula into the lungs. About twenty minutes alter this, the 
bloods the artery began to run down the face, and a slow pulse *n 
™i perceptible a't the wrist. The frictions were continued for son. p 
timeWer; his pulse became more frequent, and his moutfi and no^ 
brin- irritated with spirits of sal amoniac. he opened his eyes. W arm. 
cm dials were then administered to him, and in two da } s he was so well 
as to be able to walk ei^ht miles. 

These cases are sufficient to show what may be done for the reroyr. y 
of those unhappy persons who strangle themselves ia a fit ot despair. 

OF PERSONS WHO EXPIRE RY CONVULSION FITS. 

CONVULSION fits often constitute the last scene of acute or 
chronic disorders. When this is the case there can remain but smalt 
hopes of the patient's recovery after expiring in a fit. But when a 
person who an P e,.rs to be in perfect health, is suddenly seized wrthra 
co iviilrioa fit. and seems to expire, some attempts ought always to be 
made to restore him to life. Infants are most liable to envious , ami 
are often carr-e I off very suddenly by one or more fits about the June 
of teething. There are" many well authenticated accounts ol 



IN CONVULSION FITS. 393 

having been restored to life, after they had to all appearance expired 
iu convulsions; but we shall onjy relate the following instance, mention-* 
ed by Dr Johnson, in his pamphlet on the practicability of recovering 
persons visibly dead 

Iu the parish of St. Clements in Colchester, a child of sis months 
old, lying upon its mother's lap, having had the breast, was ss ized with 
a strong Convulsion fit, which lasted so long, and ended with s total a 
privation of motion in the body, lungs, and pn se, that it was deemed 
absolutely dead. It was accordingly stripiv I, laid out, the pass- 
ing bell ordered to be tolled, and a. coffin lo be made , buj a oi igh- 
bouring gentlewoman who used to admire the child, hearing of i r s sad* 
den death, hastened to the house, and upon examining ine child, found 
it not cold, its joints limber, and fancied that a glass she held to its 
mouth and nose was a liitle damped widi the breath.- upon which she 
took, the child in her lap, sat dowu before the fire, rubbed it, and kept 
it in gentle agitation. In a quarter of an hour she felt the heart begin 
to beat faintly ; she then put a little of the mother's milk into its mouth, 
continued to rub its palms and soles, found the child begin to move, 
and the milk was swallowed ; and in another quarter of an hour she had 
the satisfaction of restoring to its disconsolate owner the babe quite 
recovered, eager to lay hold of the breast, and able to suck again. 
The child throve, had no more fits, is grown up, and at present alive. 

These means, which are certainly in the power of every person, 
were sufficient to restore to life an infant to all appearance dead, and 
who in all probability, but for the use of diese simple endeavours, 
would have remained so. There are however many other things which 
might be done in case the above should not succeed; as rubbing the 
body with strong spirits, covering it with warm ashes or salt, blowing 
air into the lungs, throwing up warm stimulating clysters or the smoke 
of tobacco into the intestines, and such like. 

When children are dead born, or expire soon after the birth, the 
same means ought fo be used for 'heir recovery, as if they had expired 
in circumstances similar to those mentioued above. 

These directions may likewise be extended to adults, attention being 
always paid to the age and other circumstances of the patiei r . 

The foregoing cases and observations afford sufficient proof of the 
success which may attend the endeavours of persons total!) ignorant of 
medicine, in assisting those who are suddenly deprived of life by any 
accident or disease. Many facts of sim'dar nature might be adduced, 
were it necessary ; but these, it is hoped, will be sufficient to call up 
the. attention of the public, and to excite the humane nnd benevolent to 
exert their utmost endeavour? for the preservation of the?? fellow-men. 

The society for the recovery of drowned persons, instituted at Am- 
sterdam in the year 1767, had ih** satisfaction to find that no fewer 
than 150 persons, in the space of four years, had been saved by the 
Beans pointed out by them, man-, of whom owed their preservations 
50 



S94 OF PERSONS WHO EXPIRE, &e. 

to peasants ami people of no medical knowledge. But the means used 
with so much efficacy io recovering drowned persons are, with equal 
success, applicable to a number of cases where the power of life 
see^n in reality to b*> suspended, and to remain capable of renewing 
n* their functions on being put into motion again. It is shocking to 
reflect, that for want of this consideration many persons have been 
ed to the grave in whom the principles of life might have been 
revived. 

The cases whereiu such endeavours are most likely to be attended 
with success, are all those called sudden deaths from an inevitable cause, 
as apoplexies, hysterics, faintings, and many other disorders wherein 
persons in a moment sink down and expire. The vaiious casualties 
in which they may be tried are, suffocations from the sulphurous 
damps of mines, coal pits, Arc. the unwholesome air of long unopened 
wells or caverns; the noxious vapours arising from fermenting liquors; 
the steams of burning charcoal ; sulphurous mineral acids ; arsenical 
effluvia, &c. 

The various accidents of drowning, strangling, and apparent deaths, 
by blows, falls, hunger, cold &c. likewise furnish opportunities of 
trying such endeavours. Those perhaps who to appearance are killed 
by lightning, or by any violent agitation of the passions, as fear, j'>y, 
surprise and such like, might also be frequently recovered by the use 
of proper beans, as blowing strongly into their lungs, &c. 

The means to be used for the recovery of persons suddenly depri- 
ved of life, are nearly the same in all cases ; they are practicable by 
every one who happens to be present at the accident, and require no 
xpense, and less skill. The great aim is to restore the warmth 
and vital motions. This may in general be attempted by means of 
beat, friction, bleeding, blowing air into the lungs, administering 
clysters and generous cordials. These must be varied according to 
circumstances. Common sense, and the situation of the patient, will 
suggest the proper manner of conducting them. Above all we would 
recom ne'fid perseverance. People ought never to despair 0:1 account of 
discouraging circumstances, or to leave off their endeavours as long 
as there is the least hope of success. Where much good and 00 hurt 
jean be done, no one ought to grudge his labour. 

It Were greatly to be wished, that an institution similar to that cf 
Amsterdam, was established upon a more extensive plan, in Great- 
liritaiu ; and that a reward was allowed to every one who would 
be instrumental in restoring to life a person seemingly dead 

* The author is happy to observe, tint since the first public: 
this work, several societies have been instituted in Britain with the 
same benevolent intention as that at Amsterdam, and that their ei 
ours have proved no less successful. He is also happy tori 
jjjaj, premiums have been awarded to those who have been acti 



OF C0L3 BATHING, &c. m 

Will do much for fame, but still more for money. Should do profit* 
however, be annexed to those benevolent offices, the heart- felt pleasure 
which a good man must enjoy on reflecting that he has been the happy 
instrument of saving one of his fellow creatures from aa untimely grave 
is itself a sufficient reward. 



CHAPTER LV, 



'CAUTIONS CONCERNtNCx COLD BATHING AND DRINK* 
ING THE MINERAL WATERS. 

AS it is now fashionable for persons of all ranks to plunge info the 
sea, and drink the mineral waters, I was desirous of rendering 
this work still more extensively useful, by the addition of some prac- 
tical remarks on these active and useful medicines. Finding it is im- 
possible to bring these observations within so narrow a compass as not 
to swell the book, already too large, into an enormous size, I resolved 
to confine myself to a few hints or cautions ; which may be of ser- 
vice to persons who bathe, or drink the mineral waters, without being 
able to put themselves under the care of a physician. 

No part of the practice of medicine is of greater importance, or 
merits more the attention of the physician, as many lives are lost, and 
numbers ruin their health, by cold bathing, and an imprudent use of 
mineral waters. On some future occasion I may probably resume 
this subject, as I knoiv not any work that contains a sufficient number 
of practical observations to regulate the patient's conduct in the use of 
these active and important medicines. 

We have indeed many books on the mineral waters, and some of 
them are written with much ingenuity ; but they are chiefly employ- 
ed in ascertaining the contents of the waters by chymical analysis. 
This no doubt has its use, but it is by no means of such importance aa 
some may imagine. A man may know the chymical analysis of all 
the articles in the materia nledica, Without being able properly to ap- 
ply any one of them in the cure of diseases. Oae page of practical 
observations is worth a whole volume of chymical analysis. But where 
are such observations to be met with ? Few physicians are in a situa- 



their endeavours to restore to life persons who have been drowned, 
or suddenly deprived of life by any accideut. How much is this supe- 
rior to the superstitious institution which allows any man a premium 
Who biiugs a dead person out of the water, so that he may receive 
Christian burial ; but allows nothing to the person who brings him oufc 
fciive, or who recovers him after he has been to all appearance deado 



396 OF COLD BATHING. 

-■ make them, and fewer still are qualified for such a task. It 

accomplished by practitioners who reside at the fountains* 

j.issessiug minds, superior to local prejudices, are capable of 

ling diseases with accuracy, and ol forming a sound judg- 

• respecting the genuine effects of medicines. 

• ti ii a piop r discrimination with regard to the diseases and the 

- nstitutien of ihe paiieat, the most p.-werlul medicine is more likely 

■in thau good. Every one knows that the -ame physician who, 

bathing, cured Augustus, by an imprudent use of the same 

; Vi. heir. This induced the Roman- senate to make 

lating the baths, and preventing the numerous evils which 

imprudent arid promiscuous use of those elegant and fash- 

curj ii: as do su< h ; -.ivs exist in this country, 

-?■•■ ;« ••• does ihptl which is rigid iu hit, own eyes, and of course many 

■ rei iii .. that the simple element of water can do 

ha .a j maj plunge into it at any ii.mj with impunity. 
Iu »hjs however, they are much mistaken. I have known apoplexies, 
occasioned by going into the cold bath, fevers excited by staying too 
long in if, and other maladies so much aggravated by its continued use, 
that they never coal. I be wholly eradicated. Nor are examples want- 
ing, either in ancient or modern times, of the baneful consequence! 
which bave arisen also from an injudicious application of the warm 
bath; but as warm baths are not so common in this country, and are 
seldom used but under the direction of a physician, I shall not enlarge 
on that part of the subject. 

Immersion in cold water is a custom which lays claim to the most 
remote antiquity: indeed it must have hem coeval with man himself. 
The necessity of water for the purpose of cleanliness, and the pleasure 
arisin« from i's application to the body in hot countries, must very early 
Jiave recommended it to the human species. Even (he example of oth- 
er animals was sufficient to give the hint to mao. By instinct man) cf 
them are led to apply cold water in this manner; and some, when de- 
prived of its use, have been known to languish and even to die. IJut 
whether the practice of cold bathing arose from necessity, reasoning, 
or imitation, is au inquiry of no importance ; our business is to point 
out the advantages which may be derived from it, and to guard peo- 
ple against an improper use of.it. 

The cold bath recommends itself in a variety of cases, and is pe> 
cuiiaily beneficial to the inhabitants of populous cities, who indulge in 
idleness edentar) lives. In persons of this description the 

action cf the solids is always too weak, which induces a languid circu- 
iatior:, a crude indigested mass of humours, aud obstructions in the 
papillary vestels ?.nd glandular system. Cold water, from its gravity 
©s well as its tonic powers, is well calculated either to obviate or re- 
j$)0\ e these symptoms. It accelerates the motion of the blood, pro- 



OF COLD BATHING. 39? 

ftiotes the different secretions, and gives permanent vigour to the sol- 
ids But all these important purposes will be more essentially answer- 
ed by the application of salt water. This oueiit not only to be pre- 
ferred oa account of its superior gravity, but likewise for its greater 
power of stimulating the skin, which promotes the perspiration, and 
prevents the patient from catching cokL 

It is necessary, however, to observe, that cold bathing is move like- 
ly to prevent, than to remove obstructions of the glandular or lympha- 
tic system. Indeed, when these have arrived at a certain pitch, they 
are not to be removed by any means. In this case the cold bath will 
only aggravate the symptoms, and hurry the unhappy patient into an 
untimely grave. It is therefore of the utmost importance, previous to 
the patient's entering upon the use of the cold bath, to determine 
•whether or not he labours under any obstinate obstructions ot the lungs 
er other viscera; and where this is the case cold bathing ought strict- 
ly to be prohibited * 

In what is called a plethoric state, or too great a fullness of the body, 
it is likewise dangerous to use the cold hath, without due preparation* 
In this case there is great danger of bursting a blood- vessel, or occa- 
sinning an inflammation ot the brain or some of the viscera. This pre- 
caution is the more necesssary to citizens, as most of them live fall, and 
are of a gross habit. Yet what is very remarkable, these people re- 
sort in crowds every season to the sea- side, and plunge in the water 
without the least consideration'. No doubt they often escape with im- 
punity ; but does this give a sanction to the practice ? Persons of this 
description ought by no means to bathe, unless the body has been pre- 
viously prepared by suitable evacuations. 

Ano her class of patients who stand peculiarly in need of the bra- 
cing qualities of cold water, is the nervous. This includes a great 
number of the male, and almost all the female inhabitants of great cities. 
Yet even those persons ought to be cautious in using the cold bath. 
Nervous people have often weak bowels, and may, as well as others, 
be subject to congestions and obstructions of the viscera; and in this 
case they will not be able to bear the effects of cold water. For them, 
and indeed for all delicate people, the best plan would be to accustom 
themselves to it by the most pleasing and gentle degrees. They ought 

* The late celebrated Dr. Smollet has indeed said, that if he were 
persuaded he had an ulcer in the lungs, he would jump into the cold 
bath ; but here the Doctor evidently shows more courage than discre- 
tion ; and that he was more a man of wit than a physician, every one 
will allow. A nervous asthma, or an atrophy, may be mistaken for a 
pulmonary consumption ; yet, in the two former, the cold bath proves 
often beneficial, though I never knew it so in the latter. Indeed all 
the phthisical patients I ever saw, who have tried the cold bath, were 
evidently hurt by it. 



3P8 OF COLD BATHING. 

to begin with the temperate bath, and gradually use it cooler, till at 
length the cold proves quite agreeable. Nature revolts against all 
great transitions ; and those who do violence to her dictates, have often 
cause to repent of their iemerity. 

Wherever cold bathing is practised, there ought likewise to be tepid 
baths for the purpose mentioned above. Indeed it is die practice of 
some countries to throw cold water over the patient as soon as he comes 
oat of the warm bath; but though this may not injure a Russian pea- 
sant, we dare not recommend it to the inhabitants of this country. The 
ancient Greeks and Romans, we are told, when covered with sweat 
and dust, used to plunge into the rivers, without receiving the smallest 
injury. Though they might often escape danger from this imprudent, 
conduct, yet it was certainly contrary to sound reason. I have known 
many robust men throw away their lives by such an attempt We 
■would not however advise patients to go into the cold water when the 
body is chilly; as much exercise, at least, ought to be taken, as may 
excite a gentle glow all over the body, but by no means so as to over- 
heat it. 

To young people, and particularly to children, cold bathing is of 
the first importance. Their lax fibres render its tonic powers pecu- 
liarly proper. It promotes their growth, increases their strength,* and 
prevents a variety of diseases incident to childhood. Were infants 
early accustomed to the cold bath, it would seldom disagree with 
them ; and we should see fewer instances of the scrophula, rickets, and 
other diseases which .prove fatal to many, and make others miserable 
for life. Sometimes indeed, these disorders render infants incapable 
of bearing the shock of cold water; but this is owing to their not hav- 
ing been early and regularly accustomed to it. It is however neces- 
sary here to caution young men against too frequent bathing ; as I have 
known many fatal consequences result from the daily practice of plung- 
ing into rivers, and continuing there too long. 

The most proper time of the day for using the cold bath is no doubt 
the morning, or at least before dinner; and the best mode, that of quick 
immersion. As cold bathing has a constant tendency to propel the 
blood and other humours towards the head, it ought to be a rule always 
to wet that part as soon as possible. By due attention to this circum- 
stance, there is reason to believe, that violent head-aches, and other 
complaints* which frequently proceed from cold bathing, might be of- 
ten prevented. 



* The celebrated Galen says, that immersion in cold water is fit on- 
ly for the young of lions and bears; and recommends warm bathing, as 
conducive to the growth and strength of infants. How egregiously do 
the greatest men err whenever they lose sight of facts, and substitute 
Veasoniug in physic in place of observation and experience* 



OF DRINKING MINERAL WATERS. 39^ 

The cold bath, when too long continued in, not only occasions an ex* 
cessive flux of humours towards tlie head, bu> chills the blood, cramps 
the muscles, relaxes the nerves, and wholly defeats the intention of 
bathing. Hsnce, by not advening to this circumstance, expert swim- 
ers are often injured, and sometimes even lose their lives. All the ben- 
eficial purposes of cold bathing are answered by one immersion, at a 
time ; aud the patient ought to be rubbed dry the moment he comes 
out of the water, and should continue to take exercise for some time 
after. 

When cold bathing occasions dullness, loss of appetite, listlessness, 
paiu of the breast or bowels, a prostration of streugth, or violent head 
aches, it ought to be discontinued. 

Though these hints are by no means intended to point out all the 
cases where cold bathing may be hurtful, nor to illustrate its extensive 
utility as a medicine ; yet it is hoped they may serve to guard people 
against some of those errors into which, from mere inattention, they are 
apt to fall, and thereby not only endanger their own lives, bat bring 
an excellent medicine into disrepute. 

OF DRINKING THE MINERAL WATERS. 

THE internal use of water, as a medicine, is no less an object of 
the physician's attention thau the external. Pure elementary water is 
indeed the most inoffensive of all liquors, and constitutes a principal 
part of the food of every animal. But this element is often impreg- 
nated with substances of a very active and penetrating nature ; and of 
such an insidious quality, that, while they promote certain secretions, 
and even alleviate some disagreeable symptoms, they weaken the pow- 
ers of life, uudermine the constitution, and lay the foundation of worse 
diseases than those which they were employed to remove. Of this 
every practitioner must have seen instances ; and physicians of emi- 
nence have more than once declared that they have known more dis- 
eases occasioned than removed by the use of mineral waters This 
doubtless has proceeded from the abuse of these powerful medicines, 
which evinces the necessity of using them with caution. 

By examining the contents of the mineral waters which are most 
used in this country, we shall be enabled to form an idea of the danger 
which may arise from an improper application of them either externally 
or internally, though it is to the latter of these that the present observa- 
tions are chiefly confined. 

The waters most in use for medical purposes in Britain, are those 
impregnated with sails, sulphur, iron, and mephitic air, either sepa- 
rately, or variously combined. Of these the most powerful is the sa- - 
line sulphurous water of Harrowgate, of which I have had more occa- 
sion to observe the pernicious consequences, when improperly used, 
$isui of any other. To this, therefore, the following remarks will more 



400 OF DRINKING MINERAL WATERS. 

immediately relate, though they will be found applicable to all i'h» 
purging waters iu the kingdom which are strong enough co merit at- 
tention.* 

The errors which so often defeat the intention of • pur- 

gative mineral waters, and which so frequency provi inj < 

patient, proceed from the manner of using them, u'to <; 
the regimeu pursued, or using them in cases where 
proper. 

A very hurtful prejudice still prevails in this country , that at! dis- 
eases must be cured by medicines taken into the stomach, and tnat 
the more violently these medicines operate, they are the mor< 
to have the desired effect. This opinion has proved fatal to thousands, 
and will in all probability, destroy many more before it can »>e whol- 
ly eradicated. Purging is often useful in acute diseases, and in 
chronical cases may pave the way for the operation of other medi- 
cines ; but it will seldom perform a cure ; and by exhausting the 
strength of the patient, will often leave him in a worse condition h-^n 
it found him. That this is frequently the case with regard to the 
jnore active mineral waters, every person conversant in these ma tters 
will readily allow. 

Sfcong stimulants applied to the stomach and bowels for a length of 
time, must tend to weaken and destroy their energy ; and what stimu- 
lants are more active than salt and sulphur, especially when these 
substances are intimately combined, and carried through the system 
liy the penetrating medium of water ? Those bowels must be strong 
indeed, which can withstand the daily operation of such active princi- 
ples for months together, and not be injured. This however is the 
plan pursued by most of those who drink the purging mineral waters, 
and whose circumstances will permit them to coutiuue long enough at 
those f<r-hiooabJe places of resort. 

Many people imagine that every thing depends on the quantity of 
•water taken, and that the more they drink they will the c oonrr get 
well. This is an egregious error; for while the unhappy patient 
thinks he is by this means eradicating his disor ler, he : ~ ofl n in fact 
undermining the powers of life, and ruining his constitution in- 

* The greatest class of mineral wates in this country i? the chaly- 
beate. Iu manyparts of Britain these are to be found in almost every 
field; but those chiefly in use, for medical purposes, are the purging 
c.halybeates, as the waters of Scarborough, Cheltenham, Thorp Arch, 
NevilHoit, &c Of those which do not purge, the water' of Tun- 
bridge stand in the highest repute. The Saline purging waters a: those 
of Acton, Epson, Kilbum, &c. are also in v try general esteem; but 
the fountains most frequented by the sick in ttds country, are those to 
which the minerals impart a certain degree of heat, as Bath, Bristol, 
Buxton, &c 



OF DRINKING MINERAL WATERS. An 

deed nothing can do this so effectually as weakening the powers of 
digestion by the improper application of strong stimulants. The very 
essence of health depends on the digestive organs performing their due 
functions, and the most tedious maladies are all connected with indi- 
gestioa. 

Drinking the wafer in too great quantity, not only injures the bow- 
Hs and occasions indigestion, but generally defeats the intention for 
which it is taken. The diseases for the cure of which mineral waters 
are chiefly celebrated, are mostly of the chronic kind ; and it. is well 
known that such diseases can only be cured by the slow operation of 
alternatives, or such medicines as act by inducing a gradual change in 
the habit This requires length of time, and never can be effected' 
by medicines which ruu off by stool, and operate chiefly on the first 
passages. 

Those who wish for the cure of any obstinate mahdy from the min- 
eral waters, ought to take them in such a manner as hardly to produce 
any effect whoever on the bowels. With this view a half-pint glass 
may be drank at bed time, # and the same quantity an hour before 
breakfast, ('inner, and supper. The dose, however, must vary accor- 
ding to circumstances. Even the quantity mentioned above will purge 
some persons, while others will drink twice as much without being in 
the least moved by it. Its operation on the bowels is the only stand- 
ard ior using the water as an alternative. No more ought to be taken 
than basely to move the body? nor is it always necessary to carry it 
this length, provided the water goes off by the other emunctories, and 
does not occasion a ehilluess, or flatulency in the stomach or bowels. 
"When the water is intended to purge, the quantity mentioned above 
may be all taken before breakfast. 

I would not only caution patients who drink the purging mineral 
waters over night, to avoid heavy suppers, but also from eating heavy 
meals at any time. The stimulous of water, impregnated with s lis, 
seems to create a false appetite. I have seen a delicate person, af- 
ter drinking the riarrowgate waters of a morning, eat a breakfast 
sufficient ta have served two ploughmen, devour a plentiful dinner of 
flesh and fish, and, to crown all, eat such a supper as might have 
satisfied an hungry porter. 

* When I speak of drinking a glass ot the water over night, I must 
beg leave to caution those who follow this plan against eating heavy 
suppers. The late Dr. Daultry of York, who was the first that 
brought the Harrowgate waters into repute, used to advise his patients 
to drink a glass before they went to bed; the consequence of which. 
was. thathaving eat a flesh supper, and the water operating in the 
night; they were often tormentedwhh gripes and obliged to call for 
Wfedical ;:«bU.! f ,e. 

51 



402 OF DRINKING MINERAL WATERS. 

All this, indeed, the stomach seemed to crave ; but this craving 
had better remain oot quite satisfied, than that the stomach should be 
loaded with what exceeds its powers. To starve patieuts was never 
my plan ; but I am clearly of opinion, that in the use of all purging 
mineral waters, a light and rather diluting diet is the most proper ; 
and that no person, during such a course, ought to eat to the full ex- 
tent to what his appetite craves. 

To promote the operation of mineral waters, and to carry them 
through the system, exercise is indispensably necessary. This may 
be taken in any manner that is most agreeable to the patieut ; but he 
ought never to carry it to excess. The best kinds of exercise are 
those connected with amusement. Every thing that tends to exhiler- 
ate the spirits, not only promotes the operation of the waters, but 
acts as a medicine. All who resort to the mineral waters ought there- 
fore to leave every care behind, to mix wUh the company and to 
make themselves as cheerful and happy as possible. From this 
conduct, assisted by the free and wholesome air of those fashiona- 
ble places of resort, and also the regular and early hours which are 
usually kept, the patient ofteu receives more benefit thau from using 
the waters. 

But the greatest errors in driukiug the purging mineral waters arise 
from their being used in cases where they are absolutely improper, and 
advetse to the nature of the disease. When people hear of a won- 
derful cute having been performed by some mineral water, they im- 
mediately conclude that it will cure every thing, and according- 
ly swallow it down, when they might as well take poison. Pa- 
tien's ought to be well informed, before they b^gin to drink die more 
active kinds of mineral Maters, of the propriety of the course, and 
should ntver persist in using them when they are found to aggravate 
the disorder. 

In a.l cases where purging is indicated, the saline mineral waters 
will be found to fulfil tins Intention belter than any oilier medicine. 
This operation, if taken in proper quantity, is generally mild ; and 
they are neither found to irritate the nerves, nor ritbiUtate the patient 
so much as the other purgatives. 

As a purgative, these, waters are chiefly recommended in diseases 
of the ftrist passages, accompanied with, or proceeding from, inactiv- 
ity of the stomach and bowels, acidity, indigestion, vitiated bile, 
worms, putrid sores, the piles and s jaundice. In most c.^es of '.his 
kini tiny are the be&t medicines that can be administered. Bat 
when used with this view, it is sufficient to take them livice, or at 
most three times a week, so as to move the bod? thir.e or four times ; 
and it will be proper to continue this course for some weeks. 

But the operation of the more active mineral waters is not confined 
to the bowels. They often promote the discharge of the urine, and 
not OofrequtDtly increase the perspiration. This shews that they an: 



OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING DIET, &c> 402 

Capable of penetrating into every part of the body, and of stimulating 
the whole system. Henoe arises their efficacy in removing the most 
obstinate of all disorders, obstructions of the glandular and lymphatic 
system. Under this class is comprehended the scrophula or King's 
mil, indolent tumours, obstructions of the liver, spleen, kidnies, aud 
mesenteric glands. Whea these great purposes are to be effected, the 
waters must be used in the gradual manner mentioned above, and per- 
sisted in for a length of time. It will be proper however now and then 
to discontinue their use for a few days. 

The next great class of diseases where mineral waters are found 
to be beneficial, are those of the skin, as the itch, scab, tetters, ring- 
worms, scaly eruptions, leprosies, bloches, foul ulcers, &c. Though 
these may seem superficial, yet they are often the most obstinate 
which the physician has to encounter, and not unfrequently set his 
skill at defiance ; but they will sometimes yield to the application of 
mineral waters for a sufficient length of time, and in most cases of 
tins kind these waters deserve a trial. The saifne sulphureous waters, 
such as those of Moffat in Scotland, and Harrowgate in England, are 
the most likely to succeed in diseases of the skin ; but for this purpose 
it will be necessary not only to drink the waters, but likewise to use 
them externally. 

To enumerate more particularly the qualities of the different mine- 
ral waters, to specify those diseases in which they are lespectively in- 
dicated, and to point out their proper modes of application, would be 
an useful, and by no means a disagreeable employment; but as the lim- 
its prescribed to these remarks will not allow me to treat the subject 
at more length, I shall conclude by observing, that whenever the min- 
eral waters are found to exhaust the strength, depress the spirits, take 
away the appetite, excite fevers, distend the bowels, or occasion a 
cough, they ought to be discontinued. 



CHAPTER LVI. 



OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE DIET OF THE COMMON PEOPLE, RE* 

COMMENDING A METHOD OF LIVING LESS EXPENSIVE, AND 

MORE CONDUCIVE TO HEALTH THAN THE PRESENT, 

EXPERIENCE proves that not a few of the diseases incident to 
the inhabitants of this country, are owing to their mode of living. 
The vegetable productions they consume, fall considerably short of the 
proportion which they ought to bear to the animal part of their food,, 
The constant use of bread, and animal substances, excites an unnatural 
y«rst, and kads to the immoderate use of beer and other stimulating 



404 OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING DIET, &c. 

liquors, which generate" disease and reduce the lower orders of people 
IV teach the poor rrtaa how to live cheaper 
and better, ;■. ti>^ design of the following pages. 

Tnotrgh the common people of tuis country live at a greater expense 
flian any where else, it does not follow that they live better. They 
me strong indeed, but by do m :ans healthy; and it is found that, from 
an attachment lo a particular mode oi living, they are more liable to 
disease and death iu foreign climes, than the inhabitants of any other 
com ry. 

If >s certainly proper that a poor man should be instructed in every 
thing il his little i amings go as far as possible, or which 

can add to toe comfort of himself and family. Nor can ceconomy in 
living be d ivial, in a country wiiere the riches depend on the 

cheapue.-s of >oiir. 

the English are so much attached to their own 
ho argument will induce them to m«ke the small- 
est cliai . iate things, especially those which 
r< late to die'; but there are picois that the English are not inflexible 
thi in itter. The mode of living among the lower orders has 
eatly changed iu my lime, and I am sorry to say, not for the 
better. 

The people of England have too much good sense not to listen to 
reason provided due care were taken to instruct them. But here the 
people ma> be truly said "to perish for want of knowledge" No 
means have been Used to give them proper instruction. Hurtful cus- 
toms have been suffered to prevail, till they have si ruck such deep 
roots that it will not be an easy matter to eradicate them. The diffi- 
culty, however, is not insurmountable. A !e\v experiments of reform 
would have the effect to render it as agreeable as il is salutary. 

Adults have many old prejudices to overcome, but the case is ditTer- 
ein in regard to children. They may be taught to use any kind of 
food, and what they use when young they will love when old. If I 
cau introduce a different method of feeding children, my purpose will 
ivered. lids alone will, in time, effect a total change in the 
general mode of living. • 

Tht latt distress of the poor has called forth many publications in- 
tended for their relief. Most of them, however, were adapted only 
for the particular occasion, and net calculated to prevent the return of 
Hk* evils. The following observations, it is hoped, will have a more 
permanent effect. They are intended to recommend a plan of living 
which will lender the people less dependent on bread and animal food 
for iheir subsistence, and consequently not so liable to suffer from a 
seas city or dearth of either of these articles in future. 

Particular attention has been paid to the substitutes for bread, as the 

pcarcit) of this article proves peculiarly distressing to the poor. It 

rom the following pages, that bread is by no means so 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON ALIMENT. 405 

Kiuch a necessary of life as generally imagined, and that its place 
may. in many instances', be supplied by a variety of other farinaceous 
substances. 

' GENERdL .OBSERVATIONS ON ALIMENT. 

NO creature eats such a variety of food as man. Intended for aa 
inhabitant of every climate, he devours the productions of them all ; 
and if they do not suite his palate, or agree with his stomach, he c*!!s 
in the aid of cookery, an art peculiar to himself; by which many things 
that, in a crude stave, would prove hurtful, or even poisonous, are ren- 
dered wholesome and salutary. 

The obvious division of food is into animal and vegetable. To 
say that man was intended by nature for using either the one or the 
other alone, would be absurd. His structure and apperke prove that 
he was formed for both. Judgment, however, is requisite hi adjust- 
ing the due proportions of each, so as to avoid the inconveniences, arising 
from an extreme on either hand. 

Though animal food is more nourishing than vegetable, it is not safe 
to live on that alone. Experience has shewn that a diet consisting 
solely of animal food, excites thirst, and nausea, occasions putres- 
cence in the stomach and bowels, and finally brings on violent gri- 
ping pains with cholera and dysentery. 

Animal food is less adapted to the sedentary than the laborious, and 
least of all to the studious, whose diet, ought to consist chiefly of veg- 
etables. Indulging in animal food renders men dull, and unfit for the. 
pursuits of science, especially when it is accompanied with the free 
use of strong liquors. 

The plethoric, or persons of a full habit, should eat sparingly of 
animal food. It yields far more blood than vegetables taken in the 
same quantity, and of course may induce inflammatory disorders. It 
acts as a stimulus to the whole system, by which means the circula- 
tion of the blood is greatly accelerated. 

lam inclined to think, that consumptions, so common in England, 
are in part owing to the great use of animal food. Though the 
JPhthisis I'ulmonalis properly speaking, is not an inflammatory dis* 
ease, yet it generally begins with symptoms of inflammation, 'and is 
often accompanied with them through its whole progress. 

But the disease most Common to this country is the scurvy. One 
finds a dash of it in almost every family, and in some the taint is 
very deep. A disease so general must have a general cause, and 
there is none so obvious as the great quantity of animal food devour- 
ed by the natives. As a proof that scurvy arises from this cause, we 
are in possession of no remedy for that disease equal to the free use 
of fresh vegetables. 



408 OP tinfiAb. 

By the Uninterrupted use of animal food a putrid diathesis is indu- 
ced in the system, which predisposes to a variety of disorders. I am 
fully convinced that many of those obstinate complaints for which we 
ar« at a loss to account,_and find it still more difficult to cure, are the 
effects of a scorbutic taint lurking in the habit. 

Improper diet affects the mind as well as the body. The choleric 
disposition of the English is almost proverbial. Were I to assign a 
Cause, it would be, their living so much on animal food. There is no 
doubt but this induces a ferocity of temper unknown to men whose food 
!s chiefly taken from the vegetab le kingdom. 

Though these and similar cousequeuees may arise from the excess 
of auimal diet, we are far from discouraging its use in moderation. In 
all culd countries it U certainly nece**ary; but the major part of the 
aliment ou^ht nevertheless to consist of vegetable substances. There 
is a co'iiiriua! tendency in animal food, as well as in the human body 
itself, to pu;refaction, which can only be counteracted by the fiee use 
«f vegetables. 

With regard to the proportion of vegetable food to that of animal, 
great nicety is by no means required. It must vary according to cir- 
cumstances, as the heat of the weather, the warmth of the climate, and 
the like. The vegetable part, however, where nothing forbids, ought 
certainly (o preponderate, and I think in the proportion of at least two 
to one. 

The excessive consumption of animal food is one great cause of the 
scarcity of grain. The food that a bullock affords bears but a &mall 
proportion to the quantity of vegetable matter he consumes. 

I am no enemy to good fruit, as an article of diet ; but t he greater 
part of what is used iu this country, by the lower orders of the people, 
is mere trash. Fruit should be eaten in the early part of the day. 
•wheu the stomach is not loaded with food, and it never ought to b«- 
cateu raw till it b§ thoroughly ripe. 

OF BREAD. 

BREAD, or something resembling it, makes a part of the diet of 
»U nations. Hence it is emphatically denominated the staff of life. 
It «iay, however, be used too freely. The late Dr. Fathergill was 
of opinion, and I perfectly agree with him, that most people eat more 
bread than is conducive to their health. I do not mean to insinuate 
that bread is unwholesome, but that the best things may prove hurtful 
when taken to excess. A. surfeit of bread is more dangerous than of 
«ny other food. Gmnis rcpletio tnala repktio pants pessitna. The 
French consume vast quantities of bread ; but its bad effects are pre- 
vented by their copious use of soups and fruits, which have little ot 
bo share in the diet of the common people of England. 



OF WREAD. 407 

Oue important use of bread is to form a mass fit for filling up the 
alimentary canal, and carrying the nutritious juices along that passage 
in such a state as to render them fit to be acted upon by the lacteal 
absorbents, which take up the nourishment and convey it io the blood. 
In this light bread may be considered as a soil from whence the 
nourishment is drawn. I do not say thai bread contains uo nour- 
ishment, but that its use, as an article of diet, does not solely depend 
on the quantity of nutriment its contains, but in some measure, on its 
fitness as a vehicle for conveying the nutritious particles through the 
intestinal tubes. Hence it follows, that the finest bread is not always 
the best adapted for answering the purposes ef nutrition. 

The richest food will not nourish an animal, unless the alimentary 
canal is sufficiently distended. 4 dog has been fed on the richest 
broth, yet could not be kept alive ; while another, which had only 
the meat boiled to chip and water, throve very well. This shew* 
the folly of attempting to nourish men on alimentary powders and oth- 
er concentrated food. 

The great art therefore of preparing food, is to blend the nutritive 
part of the aliment with a sufficient quantity of some light farinaceous 
substance, in order to fill up the canal, without overcharging it with 
more nutritious panicles than are necessary for the support of the 
animal. This may be done either by bread, or other farinaceous 
substances, of which there is a great variety, as will appear from the 
sequel. 

Bread is one of the most expensive modes of using grain, and not 
adapted to the narrow circumstances of the lower orders of the people 3 
as it is burthened with too heavy additional charges, in passing through 
the hands of both the miller and the baker. Besides, the former often 
grinds down extraneous matter with the wheat, and the latter as fre- 
queutly bakes it up with the addition of lime, chalk, alum, and other* 
pernicious substances. Since the articles of diet have become branch- 
es of manufacture, the publick neither know what they eat or what they 
drink. 

People imagine, as the finest flour contaius the greatest quantity of 
nourishment, that it must therefore be the most proper for making into 
bread; but this by no means follows. The finest flour comes the near- 
est to starch, which though it may occasionally prove a good medicine, 
makes bad bread. Household bread, which is made by grinding dowu 
the whole grain, and only separating the coarser bran, is without doubt 
the most wholesome. 

The best household bread I ever remember to have eat, was in the 
county ot York. It was what they called meslin bread, and consisted 
pf wheat aud rye ground together. I am not quite certain as to the 
proportion; but I think there might be two parts of the former to one 
of the latter. This bread, when well fermented, eat#light, is of apleas- 
jaot .taste, and soluble to the bowels. After using it for some years, i 



408 OF BREAD. 

found that bread made entirely of flour was neither so agreeable to the 
palate, nor so conducive to health. 

Bread is often spoiled to please the eye. The artificially whitened, 
drying, stuffing bread, though made of the heart of the wheat, is «u 
reality the worst ot any ; yet this is the bread which most people pre- 
fer, aud the poorer sort will eat no other. 

All the different kinds of grain are occasionally made into bread, 
some giving preference to one and some to another, according to ear- 
ly custom and prejudice. The people of South Britain generally 
prefer bread made of the finest wheat flour, while those of the north- 
ern counties eat a mixture of flour and oatmeal, or ryemeai, aud 
many give the preference to bread made of oatmeal aloue. The com- 
mon people of Scotland also eat a mixed bread, but more frequently 
bread ot oatmeal only. In Germany the common bread is made of 
rye. and the American labourer thinks no bread so strengthening as 
that wtoch.Js n.a«i« ol Indian corn; nor do I much doubt but the 
Laplander things his bread, made of the bones of fishes, is the best 
of any. 

Bread made of different kinds of g 4 ain is more wholesome than 
\fiii' is made of one only, us their qualities serve to correct one an- 
other. For example, wheat flour, especially the finer kind, being 
of a starchy nature, is apt to occasion cons-tipation. Bread made of 
ryemeal, on the other hand, proves often too slippery for the bowels. 
A due proportion of these makes the best bread. 

For the more active and laborious I would recommend a mixture 
of rye with the stronger grains, as peas, beans, barley, oats, Indian 
corn, and the like. These may be blended in many different ways ; 
they make a hearty bread for a labouring man, and to use his own 
language, they lie longer on his stomach than bread made of wheat 
flour only. Barley bread passes too quickly through the alimentary 
canal to afford time for conveying the proper nourishment ; but bread 
made of barley mixed with peas is very nourishing. 

When potatoes, or boiled graiu, are used, bread ceases to be a 
necessary article of diet. During the late scarcity of bread, I 
made it a rtde not to eat above, one half the quantity I used to do, and 
I found no inconvenience whatever from the change. Nay, some 
told me, that for a considerable time they had left off the use of 
bread altogether, without experiencing any change in the state ol their 
health. 

A great nart of the bread consumed in this country is by childreu. 
It is always ready, and when childreu call for food, a piece of bread 
is put into their hands, to save the trouble of dressing any other kind j 
of victuals. Of mauy children this is the principal food, .bu 
far from being the most proper. Children are often troubled 
*ith acidities of tfce stomach and bowels; and it is well known that 



OF BREAD. - 40$ 

bread mixed with water, and kept in a degree of heat equal to that 
of the human stomach, soou turns sour. 

During the late scarcity, many of the labouring men, and even ar- 
tificers, could not earn as much money as was sufficient to keep their 
families in the article of bread only. It is certain, however, that on a 
different plan, such families might have lived very comfortably. Ma- 
ny of the articles of diet are cheaper than bread, and equally wholesome* 
Above one half of the expense of living might be saved by a due se- 
lection of the articles of diet. 

The English labourer lives chiefly on bread, which being ac- 
companied with other dry, and often salt food, fires his blood, 
and excites an unquenchable thirst, so that his perpetual cry is fou 
drink. 

But the greatest consumption of bread is occasioned by tea. It is 
paid that the subjects of Great Britain consume a greater quantity of 
that herb, than the whole inhabitants of all the other nations of this 
quarter of the globe. The poorest woman in England must have her 
tea, and the children generally share it with her. As tea contains no 
nourishment, cither for young or old, there must of course be bread 
and butter to eat along with it. The quartern loaf will not go far a- 
mong a family of hungry children, and if we add the cosi of tea, 
pugar, butter, and milk, the expense of one meal will be more than 
would be sufficient to fill their bellies with wholesome food three times 
a day. 

There is reason to believe that one half the bread consumed in Eng= 
land is used to tea, without one hearty meal ever being made of it. 
The higher ranks use tea as a luxury, while the lower orders make a 
diet of it. I had lately occasion to see a striking instance of this in 
a family that was represented to me as in distress for want of bread. I 
.pent them a litde money, and was informed that they ran away with if; 
directly to the tea-shop. 

To a heavy, sluggish, phlegmatic man, a moderate use of tea may 
not prove pernicious; but where there is a debilitated stomach and an 
irritability of fibre, it never fails to do much hurt. With many it has 
the effect to prevent sleep. 

Tea will induce a total change of constitution in the people of this 
country. Indeed it has g«ae a great way towards effecting* 1 that evii 
already. A debility and consequent irritability of fibre, are become 
bo common, that not only women but even men, are affected with them. 

That class of diseases which, for want of a better name, we call ner= 
vous, has made almost a complete conquest of the one sex, and is ma- 
king hasty strides towards vanquishing the other. 

Did women know the train of diseases induced by debility, and how 

disagreeable these diseases render thera to the other sex, they wouft! 

shun tea as the most deadly poison. No man can love a woman eaten 

?ro with vapours, or washed down with diseases arising from relaxation 

52 



410 OF BOILED GRAIN. 

It is not tea taken as a beverage after a full meal, or in a crowded 
assembly, that I so much condemn, though I think something as elegant 
and less pernicious might be substituted in its place. The mischief oc- 
casioned by tea arises chiefly from its being substituted for solid food. 
This i» so much the case at present, that had I time to spare, I think 
it could not be better employed than in writing against this destructive 
drug. 

OF BOILED GRAIN. 

THOUGH farinaceous substances, of one kind or another, make 
a necessary part of the food of man, yet there can be no reason why- 
such substances should always assume the name and form of bread. 
Many of them are more wholesome, and uot less agreeable in other forms. 
Bread is often used merely to save the trouble of cookery ; and 
being portable, is the most convenient article of diet tor carrying a- 

broad. , ... 

It does not, however, admit of a doubt that more grain is eaten 
boiled though not in this country, than is made into bread ; and that 
this mode of cookery is the most wholesome. Simple boding pre- 
cludes all adulteration, and is an operation much less laborious an<. 
artificial than baking. m . 

The most general article of diet among maukiud, is rice. 1 nis 
may be made into a variety of dishes; but simple boding is all that is 
required, to render it a proper substitute for bread. It may either 
be eaten alone or with milk. In the East it is used with meat, in the 
same manner as we do bread. The people of this country believe 
that rice proves injurious to the eyes, but this seems to be without 
foundation ; it has no such effect on those who make it the principal 
part of their food. . 

Manv other kinds of grain will, when boiled, make good substitutes 
*br breid. Even those which make a harsh and unpleasant sort of 
bread, are often rendered very palatable by boiling. Tins is die case 
with all the leguminous class of plants, as peas, beans, &c. Even oats 
and barley are move agreeable, as well as more wholesome, when 
boiled, than made into bread. 

All allow that peas and beans boiled, when young, are a great lux- 
ury. But when old, they are equally wholesome, and, when proper- 
ly cooked, by no means unpleasant. There are few who do not rel- 
ish peas pudding, and even prefer it to bread. Beans are not so fit 
for this purpose"; but they make an excellent ingredient in the poor 
man's broth, and whoever eats this broth will find little occasion loi- 

^Peas and bean? contain an equal quantity of sugar with wheat, oats, 
«r barley, and at the same time a greater proportion of oil, conss* 



®F BOILED GRAlfr. 411 

gently are more nourishing. This feet is confirmed by daily expe- 
rience. 

On those farms where peas and beans are raised in great abundance, 
the labourers are much fed ou that sort of grain ; but when removed 
to farms where they are fed with other kinds of grain, they soon com- 
plcin of a diminution of strength, and request a supply of peas meal 
as formerly. t 

Nature seems to have pointed out the propriety of the extensive 
use of peas and beans, it being a fact, that when crops of that kind 
are duly alternated with crops of wheat, barley, or oats, the fertility 
of the soil may be maintained without rest or manure, for many years 
together ; whereas, if the latter be raised on the same soil foi sever- 
al years successively, they render it barren, so that, without rest or 
manure, its fertility cannot be preserved. 

The people in England are but little accustomed to the use of boil- 
ed grain, though in many countries it is eaten as a luxury. Boiled 
barley is a great favorite with the Dutch, and is eaten with milk, but- 
ter, or molasses. It is the principal food of the Butch sailors, who in 
general, are both healthy and robust. 

Barley is one of the best ingredients in soup. Count Rumford says 
it possesses the quality of lithing, or thickening soups, in a superior 
degree to any other grain. We have reason, however, to believe, that 
grits, or coarse oatmeal, will answer that purpose still better. 

Oatmeal is frequently made into bread ; but it is a much morA 
wholesome, as well as agreeable food, when made into hasty pudding, 
and eaten with milk. The peasants in many parts of Britain mak«5 
two meals a day cf it, while their children almost wholly subsist on 
it ; and it is well known that both old and young who are thus fed, 
are healthy and robust. 

The opinion of oatmeal being heating, and occasioning skin dis- 
eases, is wholly without foundation. Bread made of oatmeal, when 
not leavened, will sometimes occasiou the heart-burn ; btit this is no 
proof of its heating quality. Unleavened bread, of wheat or any 
other grain, produces the same effect on a debilitated stomach. Oat- 
meal thoroughly boiled seldom gives the heart-burn. 

Persons who are fed on oatmeal bread, or hasty pudding, are not 
more subject to diseases of the skin than those who live on wheatmeal. 
Cutaneous disorders proceed more from the want of cleanliness, than 
from any particular aliment. The French, so far from thinking that 
oatmeal is heating, speak of it as possessed of a cooling quality; and 
even the English give oatmeal, or grit gruel, to lying in women, and 
sick people of every description, which shows that they are inionsist- 
■ent with themselves, in alledging that the blood is fired by the use of 
catmeal. 

A lieutenant of the army, residing at a country village within a few 
ifniles of Edinbargh, with a wife and ten children., having no othe* i« 



iT2 OF BOILED GRAIN. 

come iban his half pay led the whole of his children with hasty pud- 
ding ik1 buttermilk only, hem a conviction that it was the most whole- 
son,. a:;d full uifel that tell within the reach of his narrow circumstan- 
ces. The)' grew apace, and it was the universal remark of the neigh- 
bourhood, *hat they were as sprightly, healthy, and robust as other 
children, Arid at the same sime perfectly free from all skin diseases. 

Children are sekLm well, unless when their bodies are gently open. 

But this h move likely to be the c;se when fed on oatmeal and milk, 

thai! when Mien bellies are crammed with a starch) substance made 

01 .lie n est flour; yet this in England is the common food of chil- 

.- u. J !>'ve seen an infant stuffed four or five times a day with 

id of food. There needs nocoujtitcr to tell the consequences. 

, late Author, a man of learning, but the dupe of prejudice, has 

liculous dcfiuiikhi, eudeavoured to represent cats as proper 

.: !.v ses only; I wfeh the horses in England devoured a smaller 

, . :,y . ; hat grain, and the people more. Few things would have 
. ii t'endeucj to lessen the expense of living. The oats in 
iNordi Britain are of a* superior quality, and I hope the people will 
long have the sense to use them as an article of diet. 

Indian coin is likewise said to make the best food when boiled. 
Count Humford observes, that of all things it makes the best pudding, 
and that he has made a hearty meal of it, sauce included, for five far- 
things. 'What makes good puddings will make good dumplings, 
aud these will, at any time, supply the place of bread The Count 
idso u marks, that the negroes in America prefer Indian com to rice; 
Sand thai the Bavarian peasants prefer it to wheat; that it might be ioi- 
b( rted from North America a", about fo»tr or five shillings ptr bushel; 
that when inadeln'o (lour, it would cost oily one penny farthing per 
pound; and that it is highly nutritious, and the cheapest food known. 
JJuring the iatc scarcity a large quantity of this <>rain was imported; 
but suel; is the aversion ol the common people of this country to every 
Wl of food to which they are not accustomed, that they refused to pur- 
chase it, aid the merchants were very great loosers by the importation; 
On die s;-me principle the Germans, till within a few years, could not 
he induced to eat potatoes, though now they are become extremely 
1ond < f them. 

The American, the Italian, and the German, all cook Indian cora 
the same *o\ as the North Briton does his oat meal, by making it into 
hast) -pudding. It may be eaten in a variety of ways. Some eat it 
with a simcc composed of butter and brown sugar, or butter and mo- 
lasses. Others eat it with milk only. In either way it makes a goodi 
chesp and wholesome diet, b) no means disagreeable to those whoar* 
kcousiomce I-?) it. 

The onlj other grain we shall mention as best when boiled, is buck- 
Vheal : It is of a very mucilaginous nature, and of course highly nutri- 
'*»ur, j n teveral parts of Europe,, it constitutes a principle part of the 



'OF BUTTER. A\% 

food of the lower people. Io former times it was eaten in Russia, not 
by the lower classes only, even the nobility madie use of it. Boiled 
and then buttered, it was so great a favouriie of the g&eat Gzar Peter, 
that he is said to have seldom supped on any thing else. 

OF BUTTER. 

IT has been Md that the English have a thousand religions, and but 
lone sauce - . It must be allowed that they use butter with almost every 
kind of food. Butter, though a good article of diet, may be used too 
freely, and in this country, I am convinced thatisihe i ase. To weak 
stomachs it is hurtful, even in small quantities, and when used freely, 
it proves prejudicial to the strongest. 

Butter, like odier things of an oily nature, has a constant tendency 
to turn rancid. This process, by the heat of the stomach, is greatly 
accelerated, insomuch that man* people, soon after eating butter, com- 
plain of its rising in their stomachs, in a state highly disagreeable. 

Oils of every kind are with difficulty mixed with watery fluids. 
This is the reason why butter floats on the stomach, and rises in such 
m unpleasant manner. 

Persons afflicted with bile should use butter very sparingly. Some 
sceptical authors doubt wSiether or rot aliment of any kind has an ef- 
fect on the bile. One thing, however, is certain, that many patients af. 
dieted with complaints which were supposed to be occasioned by 
bile, have been completely cured by a total abstinence from butter. 

The most violent bilious complaints that I ever met with were evi- 
dently occasioned by food that became rancid on the stomach, as the 
cholera morbus and the like. Jfor can such complaints be cured, till 
the rancid matter is totally evacuated by vomiting and purging. 

But supposing butter did not possess the quality of becoming rancid 
on the stomach, it may nevertheless prove hurtful to digestion. Oils 
of all kiods are of a relaxing quality, and tend to impede the action of 
digestion. Hence the custom of giving rich broths and fat meats to 
persons who have a voracious appetite. 

The free use of butter, and other oily substances, not only tends to 
relax the stomach, and impede its action/but to indnce a debility of the 
solids, which paves the way to many maladies. In a country where 
two thirds of the inhabitants lead sedentary lives, a debility of fibre 
must predominate. Whatever increases that debility ought to be 
avoided. 

Children, without exception, are disposed to diseases arising from 
relaxation. Butter of course, ought to be given to them with a sparing 
liand. But is this the case ? By no means. Bread and butter constitute 
a great part of the food of children, and I am convinced that the gross 
Iw.mours with which they are frequently troubled, are partly owing 't* 



*U OF BUTTER. 

this food. As children Abound with moisture, bread alone is, generally 
-speaking, better for theru than bread and batter. 

I have been astonished to see the quantities of butter eaten by gross 
■women who lead sedentary lives. Their tea bread is generally contri- 
ved so as to suck up butter like a sponge. What quantities of crum- 
pets and muffins they will devour in a morning, soaked wilh this oil; 
and afterwards complain of indigestion, when they have eaten what 
would overload the stomach of a ploughman. Dr. i-othergill is of 
opinion, that butler produces the nervous or sick head-ache, so common 
among the women of this country. As a proof of this, it is often cured 
by an emetic. 

Oils, in certain quantities, excite nausea, and even vomiting. They 
must of course prove unfriendly to digestion. A Dutch sailor, we are 
told, can digest train oil. So may an English sailor; but it would be 
very improper food for a Loudon lady. 

To some of the leauer farinaceous substances, as the potatoe and the 
like, butter makes a very proper addition ; but eating it to flesh and 
fish of almost every description, is certainly wrong. The flesh eaten 
in this country is generally fat enough without the addition of butter, 
and the more oily kinds of fish, as salmon or herrings, are lighter on 
the stomach, and more easily digested when eaten without it. 

Butter is rather a gross food, and fitter for the athletic and laboii- 
ens, than the sedentary and delicate. It is less hurtful when eaten 
fresh than salted. Salt butler certainly tends to induce skin diseases, 
and I am inclined to think, the free use of it at sea may have some 
abate in bringing on that dreadful malady so destructive to our brave 
sailors,f/*£ seascurvy. 

There is a method of rendering salt butter less hurtful, but it seems 
not to be known in England. What I mean is to mix it with an equal 
quantity of hone) , and keep it for use. In this way it may be given 
to children with greater freedom. lu North Britain this method of 
mixing butter with honey is well known, and from the common proverb, 
I take the custom te be very ancient. 

Butter, in iiself, is not so hurtful, as when combined with certain other 
(kings. For example : bread madewith butter is almost indigestible, and 
pastries of every kind are little better : yet many people almost live upon 
pastry, and it is universally given to children. It is little better, huw- 
CFer, than poison, and never fails to disorder their stomaclis. The 
fond mother cannot pass a pastry shop, without treating her darling 
boy with some of the dainties, and then wonders how he got the cough, 
vr chotic. 

I have known a man seemingly in perfect bealth, who by eating a 
pennyworth of pastry, as he passed along the street, was seized with 
such an asthmatic fit, that he was obliged to be carried home, and hail 
oeatly lost his life. This occurred whenever he inadvertently ate any 
<wkig baked with butter. 



OF BROTHS AND SOUPS. 415 

Every thing that proves very injurious to health ought, as far as pos- 
sible, to be prohibited, by laying a high duty upon it. A duty oa 
pastry would be serving the public in more respects than one. l£ 
would save many lives, and lessen some tax on necessaries. 

Cheese, as a diet, is likewise injurious to health. It should never 
be oaten but as a dessert. It occasions constipation, fires the blood, 
and excites a constant craving lor drink. It is very improper for the 
sedentary, and hardly to be digested, even by the athletic. 

If meu will live on dry bread, poor cheese, salt butter, broiled ba- 
con, and such like parching food, they will find their way to the ale* 
house, the bane of the lower orders, and the source of half the beg- 
gary in the nation. 

OF BROTHS AND' SOUPS. 

THESE may likewise be considered as substitutes for bread. If 
properly made they will serve both for bread and drink. Though 
broth is a dish of the greatest antiquity, and may be considered as ex* 
tremely delicious, yet it is not a favourite in this country. Here the 
people are fond of what they call solids ; yet those very solids they 
make into broth by swallowing as much drink after them as they can. 
get. The only difference is, the foreigner makes his broth in a pot A 
and the Englishman makes his in the stomach. 

A very sensible anonymous writer observes, that in England a 
pourad of meat makes simply a pound of food ; wheie « in any other 
country in Europe, that quantity of animal food, when stewed dowo 
with vegetables and Scotch barley, will produce an ample meal for 
half a dozen people. Hence he justly infers that among the variety of 
schemes which may have been devised by the humane for relieving th@ 
distresses of the poor, a better and oiore extensive charity cannot be 
devised than that of instructing them in a new mode of cookery. 

The same author adds that the result of his experiments on this sub- 
ject had exceeded his most sanguiue expectations, and that each day 
gave him fresh proofs of the excellency of his plan for teaching the poor 
and neady to find themselves in a wholesome and palatable diet, at the 
cheapest rate, in which little or no bread was required. He concludes 
by asserting that there is scarce a place in this kingdom where twenty 
persons may not have a wholesome, hearty, and palatable meal for 
three shillings. 

The writer who has paid most attention to the improvement of cook- 
ery for the benefit of the poor, is Count Rumford. In his economics! 
anrl philosophical essays, he has given such a variety of forms, for ma- 
lting wholasome, cheap and nourishing soups, stews, and other dishes 
for common use, that little more seems necessary to be said on the sub- 
ject. I shall only observe that the mode of Jiving on broths, soups, 
Tjasty-pudding, and such like, s» warmly and justly recommended by 



4KJ OF BROTHS AND SOUPS. 

the Count, Ins been practised in the northern parts of this kingdom, 
from time immemorial. There the food of the commou people 19 
hasty- pudding with milk for breakfast and supper, and broth, with ve- 
getables aud meat for dinner. The poorer sort often make broth with: 
out meat; but they all rise vegetables in great abundance, and some- 
times they supply the place of meat with butter. As the hasty-pudding 
aud milk make a complete meal, no bread is ueressary either at sup- 
per or breakfast ; nor is much required at dinner, as the broth is made 
thick with barley, cabbage, and a variety of other vegetables or pot- 
herbs. Cabbage is a favourite ingredient in the Scotchman's broth. 
It is seldom made without this article, which is not eaten so early as 
in England It is there suffered to grow to maturity, and when that 
is the c-sc there is no plant more productive. This the Germans know 
v,( ii, and make it into sour crout, one of the best antidotes against the 
scurvy with whi< h we are acquainted. 

It would be d fticult to assign a reason why the inhabitants of South 
Britain should dislike a dish so much relished by other nations. Cus- 
tom, no doubt, settles all th* -e things; but how customs arise is not so 
clear a matter. If any alteration in diet is to be introduced with ef- 
fect, it must becin with children. Whatever men are accustomed to 
eat wheu young, they generally prefer for the rest of their lives. 
Were the children in Souh Britain taught to eat hasty-pudding, with 
IDilk. for bivakfast and supper* and broth with vegetables and meat 
boiled in it. for dinner they would relish these dishes as long as they 
lived, would find little occasion for bread, and still less for drink; and 
Would thrive better than on their present food. 

Win' parents Jove themselves, they generally give to their children, 
without any regard to its being proper for them or not. I have seen 
a father who was fond of strong beer, make his son, an infant, guzzle 
it at every meal ; and the mother who delights in tea, does not fail to 
give it lo her daughter whenever she takes it to herself. By this con- 
duct, the son becomes a tipler, and the daughter 6ips tea in the place 
of solid food, untill she is eaten up with vapours and other nervous 
disorders. 

Count Rumford says, brown soup is the common breakfast »f the 
JJavarian peasants, to which they occasionally add bread. This he 
avers is infinitely preferable in all respects to that pernicious wash, 
tea. with which the lower classes of inhabitants of this island drench 
their stomachs, and ruin their constitutions. He adds, that a simple 
infuion of this drug, drank boiling hot, as the poor generally drink it, 
L> certainly poison, which, though it be sometimes slow iu its opera- 
(ion, never fails to produce fatal effects, even iu the strongest const]* 
tution, where the free use of it is continued for a considerable lci'gtfy 
of time. « 



A 
CONCISE ACCOUNT OF THE 

MEDICINAL QUALITIES; 

OF SOME OF THE MOST COMMON INDIGENOUS, 
AND NATURALIZED 

PLANTS, 

OF NEW ENGLAND, AND THE MIDDLE STATES, EXTRAGTED FROM 
■fHACHEB-'s DISPENSATORY, AND BARTON'S COLLECTIONS. 



Acorus Calamus. Sweet flag. The root. 

The common calamus aromaticus, or sweet flag, grows in 
marshy situations, and in shallow water, and may be known by 
its long sword shaped leaves, resembling those of the flag, but 
narrower, of a brighter green, waved along one of the edges, 
and also its oblong, cylindric spike of flowers coming from the 
side of the stem at the edge of the leaf. The root is like that 
of the flag, long, cylindric, tuberous, spongy, marked with rings, 
and putting out abundance of fibres, which, indeed, are the prop- 
er roots. It has a strong aromatic smell, and a warm pungent, 
bitterish taste. The flavour is greatly improved by drying. 

It possesses carminative and stomachic virtues, and is fre- 
quently grated into water and given to children for pain in the 
stomach and bowels from flatulence. This root is also used as 
an ingredient in the morning bitters in this country, particular- 
ly in places subject to ague. 

According to Bechstein, the leaves may be employed for dis- 
pelling many noxious insects ; hence they are recommended 
against moths, infesting woollen cloth, and the destructive worms 
in books ; for which purpose they might every year be repla- 
ced in the corners of the drawers and shelves. Mr. Bautroh has 
used the whole plant for tanning leather ; and Dr. Bohmer re- 
marks that the French snuff, called a la violette, probably re* 
reives its peculiar scent from this fragrant root-, 

■m 



4ls MATERIA MEDICA 

AcT-EA RACEMOSA. 

The Actam racemosa, or Black Snake-root, is also a valuable 
medicine. It is sometimes called Squaw-root*, I suppose from 
its having been used as a medicine by our Indians- The root 
of this plant is astringent. In a putrid sore-throat, which pre- 
vailed in Jersey, many years ago, a strong decoction of the 
roots was used," with great benefit, as a gargle. Our Indians set 
an high value on it. A decoction of it cures the itch. In 
North-Carolina, it has been found useful, as a drench, in the 
disease of cattle, called the murrain. 

The Indians make use of a decoction of tins plant, along with 
other vegetables, as a remedy, given internally, for rheumatism : 
but they depend much more upon a decoction of the roots of 
th* kcfcsa, externally applied. It may not be incurious to 
mention their manner of employing it. They make a hole in 
the ground, into which they put a kettle, containing a quantity 
of the hot decoction. The rheumatic limb is laid over the ket- 
tle, in such a manner as to receive the influence of the steam. 
They keep up the heat of the decoction, by putting into it, oc- 
casionally, hot stones. I presume that the heat, independently 
of the vegetable employed, has something to do in the cure. 

Act^a Sficata Herb Christopher. The root. 

This vegetable is perennial, growing in woods and shady pla- 
ces. It attains the height of about two and a half feet, and flow- 
ers in the months of May or June ; and produces black, shining, 
pulpy berries in Autumn, about the size of peas. On account 
of its foetid smell, this plant is said to be frequented by toads. 

« The berries are exceedingly poisonous. Dr. Withering says, 
the plant is powerfully repellent ; and that the root is useful in 
some nervous cases, but it must be administered with caution. 

JEsculus HrppocASTANUM. Horse chesnut. The seed and bark. 

This is a very common and well known tree. The fruit is 
principally farinaceous, and produces excellent starch, and has 
been used for food for domestic animals, and even for men m 
times of scarcity. But its introduction into the Edinburgh phar- 
macopoeia was probably owing to its having been used and re- 
commended as a sternutatory in some cases of opthalmia and 
headach. With this view it was drawn up the nostrils, in the 
fo.-m of an infusion or decoction. The bark has been proposed 
as an indigenous substitute for the very expensive and often 
adulterated Peruvian bark. Many successful experiments of its 
effects, when given internally in intermittent and typhus fever, 
• It is also called Rich-weed, and Rattle-weed. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 41$ 

and also when applied externally in gangrene, sufficiently war* 
rant future trials. In powder, it may be given to the extent of 
a scruple and a half, or a drachm, for a dose. It rarely disa- 
grees with the stomach; but its astringent effects generally re- 
quire the use of some aperient medicine. Some species of a?s- 
culus are cultivated in the United States, on account of the 
beauty and agreeable shade of the tree. Medical knowledge 
might be promoted were practitioners to try the efficacy of the 
bark of our native species. 

Agrimonia Eupatoria. Agrimony. The root. 

This is a native of the United States. Blossoms on long ter- 
minating spikes ; yellow. By fences — July. It is said the Indi- 
ans used an infusion of the roots in inflammatory fevers with 
great success ; and, according to Kalm, the Canadians have 
great confidence in it for the same purpose. The leaves of this 
vegetable are said to be aperient, detergent, and to strengthen 
the tone of the viscera ; hence they have been used in laxity of 
the intestines, in scorbutic, and other disorders arising from de- 
bility. Digested in whey, agrimony affords a diet-drink, grate- 
ful to the palate and stomach and was formerly supposed to be 
an effectual remedy for the jaundice. 

Allium Sativum. Garlic. The root. 

Garlic is a perennial, bulbous rooted plant, all the parts of 
which, but more especially the roots have a strong, offensive, 
very penetrating and diffusive smell, and an acrimonious taste. 
It is a powerful and diffusive stimulant ; hence in cold phlegmatic 
habits, in rheumatalgia, catarrhous disorders of the breast, asth- 
ma, both pituitous and spasmodic, flatulent colics, hysterical and 
other diseases proceeding from laxity of the solids, garlic is emi- 
nently serviceable, proving expectorant, diuretic, and if the pa- 
tient lie kept warm, sudorific. Sydenham extols it in hydropic 
cases ; and assures us also, that, among all the substances which 
occasion a derivation or revulsion from She head, no one operates 
more powerfully than garlic applied to the soles of the feet. In 
hot bilious constitutions, where there is already a degree of irri- 
tation, where the juices are too thin and acrimonious, this stimu- 
lating medicine is obviously improper, and never fails to aggra- 
vate the distemper. Garlic may be exhibited in substance, seve- 
ral cloves of it cut into slices may be swallowed without chewing. 
In this manner it has been successfully directed for the cure of 
intermittent fever ; but the most commodious form for adminis- 
tering it, is that of bolus or pill ; the expressed juice, or even the 
infusion, is too acrimonious for coaimoii use.- Cotton moistened 



41» MATERIA MED1CA. 

with the juice and introduced within the ear five or six times a 
day, lias afforded relief in deafness proceeding from atony or 
rheumatism. In the form of ointment applied externally, garlic 
is said to resolve and discuss indolent tumors ; and when applied 
under the form of poultice to the pubes, it has some times proved 
effectual in producing a discharge of urine, when its retention has 
arisen from want of due action of the bladder. 

Altikea Officinalis. Marsh Mallow, The root and leaves. 

The marsh mallow is a handsome perennial indigenous plant 
growing in salt marshes and on the banks of rivers and other 
wet places. It is also cultivated in gardens for its medical vir- 
tues- The upright cylindrical stem rises to three or four feet : 
is somewhat branched and cottony. The leaves are on leaf 
stalks, egg-spear shaped, obscurely lobed, serrated, and have a 
soft woolly surface, feeling like velvet. The flowers appear in 
August, from the bosom of the leaves on fruit stalks in a kind of 
panicle, and are of a white or pale flesh colour. Every part of 
the marsh mallow, and especially the root, upon boiling, yields a 
copious mucilage ; on account of which, it is frequently employ- 
ed in emollient cataplasms, and by way of infusion. In humid 
asthma, hoarseness, dysenteries, and likewise in nephritic and 
calculpus complaints, it is of eminent service ; as by lubricating 
and relaxing the vessels, it procures a more easy passage to the 
stagnant fluids. It is with equal advantage applied externally, 
for softening and maturing hard tumors, and when chewed, it is 
said to afford relief in difficult teething. An ointment and syrup 
are made from the roots of this plant, 

Andromeda Mariana. 

" A decoction of the Andromeda Mariana lias been 
" found useful as a wash in a disagreeable ulceration of 
" the feet, which is not uncommon among the slaves, &c in the 
" Southern states." This complaint is very common, particular- 
ly among the negroes, and the poorer sort of white people, in 
Carolina, Georgia, &c. It is called " toe-itch," and " ground- 
itch." It is a kind of ulcerous excoriation between the toes, 
sometimes extending as high as the instep, and is attended with 
most intolerable itching. It is, probably, in a great measure, 
the consequence of inattention to cleanliness. Is it occasioned 
by particular insects ? Some persons, with whom I have convers- 
ed on the subject, are oi" opinion, that it is owing to the great 
warmth of the waters to the southward, in which the inhabit- 
ants are accustomed to wade a great deal. The disease is $pmer 
times seen in Pennsylvania. 



MATERIA MEDICA. m 

The brown powder which is attached to the foot-stalks of the 
leaves of the Andromeda, is considerably errhine.. The powder 
about the seeds, in the seed-vessels of the same vegetable, pos- 
sesses a similar quality. Whether this powder may be advanta- 
geously employed in practice, I cannot say. 

Anethum Fceniculum. Fceniculwfl dales. Sweet fennel. The' 
root and seeds- 

This is a perennial plant, of which there are four varieties. 
One of these, the common fennel, is indigenous on chalky cliffs 
in England. The sweet fennel, the variety of which is officinal, 
grows wild in Italy, but is also cultivated in gardens. It is smaller 
in all its parts than the common, except the seeds, which are 
considerably larger. The seeds of the two sorts differ likewise 
in shape and colour. Those of the common are roundish, o]> 
long, flattish on one side, and protubex'ant on the other, of a 
dark, almost blackish colour; those of the sweet are longer, 
narrower, not so flat, generally crooked, and of a whitish or pale 
yellowish colour. The seeds of both the fennels have an aro- 
matic smell, and a moderately warm pungent taste : those of the 
fmniculum dulce are in flavour most agreeable, and have also a 
considerable degree of sweetness. The seeds yield an excellent 
aromatic oil, which is carminative, resolvent, and diuretic, with*, 
out heating the body. 

Anethum Gkaveolens. Dill. The seeds. 

Dill is an annual umbelliferous plant, cultivated in gardens, as 
well for culinary as medical use. The seeds are of a pale yel- 
lowish colour, in shape nearly oval, convex on one side, and flat 
on the other. Their taste is moderately warm and pungent ; 
their smell aromatic, but not of the most agreeable kind. The 
seeds are recommended as a carminative in flatulent colics. 

These seeds, with those of cummin, possess qualities and vir« 
tues similar to those of the anise and caraway, and are used for 
similar purposes, but are scarcely entitled to a place in the ma- 
teria medica. Cummin however affords an oil peculiarly grate^ 
ful to wild pigeons, and is frequently resorted to by the people in 
the country as a lure for those birds to the stand of the gunner, 

Anthemis Nobilis. Chamomile, The flowers. 

Chamomile is a perennial plant, indigenous to the south of 
England, but cultivated in gardens for the purposes of medicine. 
The flowers have a strong, not ungrateful aromatic smell, and a 
yery bitter nauseous taste. Their active constituents are bitter 



122 MATERIA A1ED1CA. 

extractive, and essential oil. To the latter is to be ascribed, 
{heir antiseptic, carminative, cordial, and diaphoretic effects; to 
the former, their influence in promoting digestion. Chamomile 
flowers are a very common and excellent remedy, which is often 
used with advantage in spasmodic diseases, in hysteria, in spas- 
modic and flatulent colics, in suppression of the menstrual dis- 
charge, in the vomiting of puerperal women, in after pains, in 
gout, in intermittents, and typhus. From its stimulating and 
somewhat unpleasant essential oil, chamomile is also capable of 
exciting vomiting; and a strong infusion of the flowers is often 
used to promote the action of other emetics. In substance, it 
lias been frequently given as a remedy in intermittent fever, m a 
dose of a drachm, or more, three or four times in the day. 
Chamomile flowers are applied as a discutient and emollient, in 
the form of clyster or fomentation, in colic, dysentery, strangu- 
lated hernia, &c. 

Arbutus Uva-Ursi. Bearbetry. Bear's Whortleberry. The 
leaves. 

The uva-ursi is a low shrub, somewhat resembling the myrtle. 
The leaves have a bitterish, astringent taste ; and their astringent 
qualities are so considerable, that in certain places, particularly 
the provinces of Russia, they are used for tanning leather. A 
watery infusion of the leaves, immediately strikes a very black 
colour with chalybeates. Dr. de Haen of Vienna, has bestowed 
very high encomiums on the uva-ursi, against ulcerations of the 
kidneys, bladder, and urinary passages. He represents it as 
capable of curing almost every case of that kind; and even 
asserts, that in cases of calculus, much benefit is derived from 
its use ; patients after the employment of it, passing their urine 
without pain. It has not however answered the expectations, 
which, on these grounds, other practitioners formed of it. But 
in many affections of the urinary organs, it has proved to be a 
.remedy of considerable use ; and it has been particularly ser- 
viceable in alleviating dyspeptic symptoms in nephritic and cal- 
culous cases. From its astringency, uva-ursi has been employed 
in monorrhagia, and other fluxes, but more particularly in cys- 
tirrhoea, calculus, diabetes, and ulcerations of the urinary orgaHs, 
in some of which affections, its efficacy is greater than has of 
late been allowed. Professor Barton of Philadelphia, from long 
experience of its efficacy, is high in its commendation, in cases 
of nephritis depending on gout, and has found it serviceable in 
old gonorrhoea. It is sometimes exhibited in the form of decoc- 
tion, but most frequently in that of powder, from a scruple to a 
drachm for a dose, repeated twice or thrice in a day. 

In the New-England states, and in New-York and New-Jersey^ 



MATERIA MEDICA* 423 

the uva-ursi, a low ever-green shrub, is found in great abundance 
trailing on the ground in dry, sandy soils, in woods, and on 
mountains. The inhabitants, to whom it is known by the name 
of wild cranberry, have recourse to it with much confidence as a 
remedy, under various circumstances attending affections of the 
urinary organs. 

More lately it has been recommended in phthisis, and it is 
probable deserving of trial. For medicinal use the green leaves 
alone should be selected and picked from the twigs, and dried by 
a moderate exposure to heat. 

Arctium Lappa. Burdock. The root and seeds. 

This is a common plant about way-sides, sufficiently known. 
from its scaly heads, or burs, which stick to the clothes. It bears 
purplish blossoms in July and August. The seeds have a bit- 
terish subacrid taste : they are recommended as very effica- 
cious diuretics, given either in the form of emulsion, or in pow- 
der, to the quantity of a drachm. The roots are esteemed ape- 
rient, diuretic, and sudorific ; and are said to act without irrita- 
tion, so as to be safely used in acute disorders. Decoctions of 
them have of late been employed in rheumatic, gouty, and ve^ 
Mereal disorders, and are by some preferred to sarsaparilla. 

Angemone Mexicana. Prickly Poppy. 

This abounds with a milky glutinous juice, turning in the air$ 
into fine bright yellow, and not distinguishable from gamboge ; 
said to be efficacious, in small doses, in dropsies, jaundice, and 
eutaneous eruptions ; deemed to be very detersive, and used in 
diseases of the eyes, the infusion is sudorific and resolutive ; 
the seeds are a stronger narcotic than opium, and frequently 
administered in the sugar colonies in diarrhaeas and dysenteries. 
In the West Indies it is called the yellow thistle. This appears 
to be a hardy annual, and without doubt can be cultivated ea- 
sily in the United States. 

Aristolochia Serpentaria. Virginia Snalce Root. The root.. 

A perennial medicinal plant, and a native production of the 
United States exclusively. The root consists of a number of 
small strings or fibres, matted together, issuing from one head, 
of a light brown colour, having a slightly aromatic smell and a 
pungent bitterish taste. This root is a warm stimulant, both 
diaphoretic, and diuretic, and esteemed one of the principal 
remedies in malignant fevers to support the powers of the sys- 
tem. It increases the pulse very perceptibly, and is improper 



424 MATERIA MEDICA. 

whenever bleeding is required. It is given in substance in dd- 
ses of from twenty to thirty grains, and in infusion to a drachm, 
or more, or it may be administered in tincture, its active matter 
being entirely extracted by proof spirit. By decoction, its pow- 
ers are entirely destroyed. This root promotes the efficacy of 
cinchona in the cure of intermittents, and remittents, and is a 
remedy of considerable power in dyspepsia. Combined with 
calamus aromaticus, and infused in spirits, or water, it forms the 
common morning dram in aguish situations. Externally, it is 
used as a gargle, in putrid sore throat. 

Artemisia Absinthium, Common Wormwood. The leaves and 
flowering heads. 

The absinthium or common wormwood, is a perennial herb, 
growing wild on the road sides, and is cultivated in gardens. — 
It flowers in August ; the smell of the leaves is strong and disa- 
greeable ; their taste intensely bitter. The active constituents 
of this plant, are bitter extractive and essential oil. It is used 
in stomach complaints, and is of great service to hypochondri- 
acs. It is also employed in intermittent fevers, in cachectic 
and hydropic affections, in jaundice, and against worms. Ac- 
cording to Dr. Withering, an infusion of the leaves is a good 
stomachic, and, with the addition of fixed alkaline salts, proves 
a powerful diuretic in some dropsical cases. 

Their ashes produce a purer alkali, than most other vegeta- 
bles. The essential oil, is used both externally and internally, 
for destroying worms. The herb, being an excellent antiseptic, 
is often employed in fomentations, to resist putrefaction ; and 
if the plant be macerated in boiling water, and repeatedly ap- 
plied to a bruise, by way of cataplasm, it will not only speedi- 
ly remove the pain, but also prevent the swelling and discoloura- 
tion of the part. 

Arum triphyllum. Indian Turnip. The root. 

The acrimony of the recent root of this plant is well knowm. 
By drying, much of this is lost, it has been very beneficial m 
asthma, especially in old people ; in croup and whooping-cough. 
The recent root boiled in lard, to the consistence of ointment, 
has been found useful in tinea capitis. The dried root boiled 
in milk, in the proportion of one root to a half pint, has been 
advantageously employed in consumption. Some acrimony* 
should be percepible to the tongue and throat in its exhibition. 
It never afl'ects the general circulation, says Dr. Mease, but acts 
solely on the parts just named ; to the glands of which it is a 
powerful stimulus, causing a copious secretion of mucus. A fine 



MATERIA MEbfCA, 425 

sago has been prepared from the roots, in the proportion of one 
part to four of the root, freed from its exterior coat. 

Asarum Canabekse. 

We have several species of the genus Asarum, or Asarabacca* 
t am best acquainted with the Asarum Canadense, which is well 
known by the name of Wild Ginger*. In Virginia, it is called 
Coltsfoot. Both the root and leaves may be used. The ex- 
pressed juice of the fresh leaves is a powerful emetic. 

Asclepias decumbent. Decumbent swallow-ivorL Pleurisy root* 
Butterfly-weed. The root. 

This species of swallow-wort is one of our most beautiful peren- 
nial plants, flourishing best in a light sandy soil, by the way side, 
under fences, and near old stumps in rye fields, &c. It abounds 
in the southern states, but with us is not so frequently found — » 
There are sometimes fifteen or twenty, or more stalks, the size 
of a pipe stem, proceeding from one rootj rising from one to 
two feet in height, and spreading to a considerable extent, gen- 
erally in a decumbent position. The stalks are round and wool- 
ly, of a reddish brown colour on the sun side ; the leaves stand 
irregularly, and are spear, or tongue shaped, with a short foot 
stalk, and covered with a fine down on the under surface* The 
umbels are compact at the extremities of the branches, and 
formed like the common silk weed, but differing from it in the 
colour of the flowers, being of a bright orange colour, while those 
of the silk weed are of a pale purple hue. The flowers appear 
in July and August, and are distinguished by their size and bril- 
liancy from all the flowers of tl*e field. These are succeeded 
by long slender pods, containing the seeds, which have a deli* 
eate kind of silk attached to them. This is probably the only 
variety of asclepias that is destitute of a milky juice. The root 
is spindle, or carrot shaped, of a light brownish colour, on the 
outer surface, white, coarse and striated within. The root of 
this plant is a valuable addition to our Materia Medica, having 
been found to possess medicinal virtues of no inconsiderable im- 
portance. It has been long celebrated in Virginia and the 
Carolinas, as a remedy in pleurisy, and in pneumonic affections 
in general. It is said to display a remarkable power of affect- 
ing the skin, inducing general and plentiful perspiration without 
heating the body. In the form of decoction it of<en induces a 
diaphoresis when other medicines have failed to produce that 
effect. We have the testimony of Professor Barton in favor of 
■the great efficacy of this 'medicine in pulmonic affections- He 

54 



426 MATERIA MEDIGA. 

corroborates the account published by Mr. Thompson Mason, or 
Virginia, whose experience of its virtues in pleurisy has been 
so extensive as to establish its reputation. After the use of au 
antimonial emetic and the loss of some blood, he gives Ins pa- 
tients about a half a drachm of the root finely powdered in a 
cup of warm water, and repeats the dose every two hours until 
the patient is perfectly recovered, which happens frequently in 
three days. Mr. Mason asserts that by those simple means he 

hf s cured hundreds, and never failed in a single instance. 

The powdered root frequently acts as a mild purgative, but it is 
particularly valuable for its virtues as an expectorant, diapho- 
retic, and febrifuge, and in this respect its efficacy is amply 
confirmed by the testimony of Dr. Benjamin Parker, of Brad- 
for'dj Massachusetts, from his own observation during an exten- 
give practice for many years in Virginia. From the successful 
employment of the pleurisy root for twenty-five years, this res- 
pectable physician has imbibed such confidence, that he extols 
it as possessing the peculiar, and almost specific qualitv of act- 
ing on the organs of respiration, powerfully promoting suppres- 
sed expectoration, and thereby relieving the breathing of pleu- 
ritic patients in the most advanced stage of the disease ; and 
in pneumonic fevers, recent colds, catarrhs and diseases of the 
breast in general, this remedy has in his hands proved equally 
efficacious. He directs it to be given in the form of strong in- 
fusion, a tea-cup full every two or three hours. By many fami- 
lies in the country this root has long been esteemed as a do- 
mestic medicine, resorted to for the relief of pains of the stom- 
ach from flatulence and indigestion, hence the vulgar name of 
wind root, by which it is known in some parts of the country, 
and from its colour it is by some called white root. Jt is said 
that b}- a perseverance for several weeks in the use of about 
one drachm of the powdered root every day, the lost tone of 
the stomach and digestive powers has been restored. 

AsCLEPIAS SvRIACA. 

Dr. Cutler describes another species, asclepias syriaca, or 
com non silkweed, often called also milkweed, from its abund- 
ance of milky juice. The leaves are spear or tongue shaped, 
larger than the preceding, and in August its aggregate, reddish, 
or purple blossoms, are exhibited at the extremites of the 
branches, and axilliB of the leaves. The seeds are contained in 
large oblong pods, and are crowded with down extremely fine 
and soft, resembling silk, which has occasioned the name of 
silk weed. This substance has been mixed with cotton and 
span into candle r/icks. The stalk of this species is from three 
to six feet high, the Leaves large, standing on short foot stalks. 



MATERIA MEDI6A. 427, 

A milky juice exudes from the stems or leaves when broken.-^ 
The root, as soon as it penetrates the earth, shoots off horizon- 
tally, and often sends out other stalks. The large roots are 
cortical and ligneous. It abounds near fences on the road side 
in all parts of the country. 

Dr. Abijah Richardson of Medway, Massachusetts, has been 
induced to try the effects of this species. He gave the cortical 
part of the root in powder, one drachm in a day, in divided do- 
ses, and also in strong infusion. An asthmatic patient was much 
benefitted by its use. In one case of typhus fever with catarr- 
hal affection of the throat and bronchia?, it rendered the expec- 
toration more copious, and the matter thicker and more digest- 
ed. In both cases it had an anodyne effect, the patients were 
relieved from pain, from dyspnoea and cough, and expectora- 
tion became easier and sleep more refreshing. 

A vena sativa. Oats. The seeds. 

When deprived of their husks and formed into groats, oats 
are converted into an excellent dish for the infirm and diseased. 
When ground into meal, and boiled in water, they afford a thick 
and nourishing mucilage, which, with the addition of a few cur- 
rants, is very wholesome, and produces a mildly laxative effect- 
Au infusion of the husks in water, allowed to remain until it 
becomes acidulous, is boiled down to a jelly, which is called 
sowins. In these forms, oats are nutritious and easy of diges- 
tion. 

Gruels or decoctions, of groats or oatmeal, either plain, acidi- 
fied, or sweetened, form an excellent drink in febrile diseases, 
diarrhoea, dysentery, &c. and from their demulcent properties^, 
prove useful in inflammatory disorders, coughs, hoarseness^ 
roughness, and exulceratiou of the fauces. 

Cassia Makilandica. American Senna. The leaves. 

This plant is abundant in America, and known by the name 
of senna, is of the same genus with the senna of the shops, and 
possesses nearly the same virtues as the eastern species. It is 
used as a purgative, in different parts of the United States, and, 
from the high price of foreign senna, deserves to be attended to. 
It is easily cultivated from the seeds, and ought to be generally 
introduced into our gardens- 

Chenopodium anthelmihticum. Jerusalem Oak. The herb and 
seeds. 

This plant, a native of Buenos Ayres, and of various parts of 
the United States, is said to be an excellent vermifuge. The 



428 MATERIA MEDICA. 

whole plant has a powerful smell, of which it is very retentive j. 
the taste is bitter, with a good deal of aromatic acrimony. The 
whole plant may be employed. Sometimes the expressed juice 
is used in the dose of a table spoonful, for a child of two or 
three years old : more commonly, however, the seeds, emphat- 
ically called wormseed, are reduced to a fine powder, and made 
in to "an electuary with syrup. Of this, the dose for a child two 
or three yea/s old, is a table spoonful early in the morning. — 
The patient is to be kept without nourishment for some hours ; 
after supper another dose is to be administered. It is often ne- 
cessary to continue this course for several days, and great num- 
bers of lumbrici are frequently discharged, after the use of a 
few doses of the medicine. 

CLEOME DODECAXDRA. 

The Cleome dodecandra ? or perhaps Cleome viscosa, is a 
native of Pennsylvania, New- York, &c It grows, in great 
abundance, in the neighbourhood of Albany. The whole plant 
has an extremely foetid smell. In some parts of the United 
States, the root is employed as a remedy against worms. How 
far it is really useful with this intention, or by what power it > 
acts, in destroying the worms, I do not know. I do not men* 
tion the anthelmintic virtue of the Cleome, merely on the au- 
thority of Dr. Schoepf* 

Cochlearia Armoracia. Horse Radish The leaves and root. 

An indigenous perennial plant, growing on the sides of ditch- 
es, the banks of rivers, and other damp places, flowering in the 
month of May. For medicinal and culinary uses, it is also cul- 
tivated in gardens. Horse radish root has a quick pungent 
smell, and a penetrating acrid taste ; it nevertheless contains in 
certa n vessHs a sweet juice which sometimes exudes upon the 
surface". By drying, it loses its acrimony ; but if kept in a cool 
place, covered with sand, it retains its qualities for a considera- 
ble time. 

Tiie medicinal effects of this root are to stimulate the solids,, 
and promote the fluid secretions ; it seems to extend its action 
through t (, e whole habit, and affect the minutest glands. It is 
recommended by Sydenham in dropsies, particularly 
such as succeed intermittent fevers. In paralytic complaints 
horse radish aas sometimes been applied with advantage as a 
si Dilating remedy to the parts affected. When steeped in 
vinegar during a fortnight, this root : s said effectually to remove 
freckles in the face. A syrup made by boiling scraped horse 

* See his Materia Medica, &c. p. 10& 



MATERIA MEDICA. 429 

radish in brown sugar, is an excellent remedy in the decline of 
colds and of pleurisies, to promote expectoration, and remove 
hoarseness. , 

Cochlearia officinalis. Garden Sew&a Grass. The plant, 

This is an annual plant growing on the sea shore, and in 
mountainous situations, and is sometimes cultivated in gardens, 
It possesses a considerable degree of acrimony, and by distil- 
lation it affords an essential oil ? the smell of which is so strong 
as to make the eyes water. 

The fresh plant is a gentle stimulant and diuretic, and is chief* 
ly used for the cure of the sea scurvy. It is employed exter- 
nally as a gargle in sore throat, and scorbutic affections of the 
gums and mouth. It may be eaten in substance to any quanti- 
ty, or the juice may be expressed frdm it, or it may be infused 
in wine or water, or its virtues may be extracted by distillation. 
Dr. Withering says it is a powerful remedy in the pituitous asth- 
ma, and in what Sydenham calls the scorbutic rheumatism. — 
The juice is prescribed along with that of oranges, by the name 
of antiscorbutic juice, 

Corianbrum sativum. Coriander. The seeds. 

The seeds of coriander have commonly been imported from 
the south of Europe ; but the plant js frequently cultivated in our 
own gardens, and may be produced to any extent. It is an an- 
nual umbelliferous plant, and the seeds differ from all the others 
of that class in being spherical. These possess a pleasant fla- 
vour 5 and when encrusted with sugar are sold by the confec- 
tioners under the name of coriander comfits. Their taste is mode- 
rately warm. Like caraway, they are used as carminative, and 
likewise to cover the taste and flavour of some medicines par- 
ticularly senna, when given under the form of infusion or tincture. 

Cornus FlorIda. Common Dogwood,. Boxwood, The fruit 
and bark. 

This is one of our most beautiful and useful shrubs, growing 
in almost every part of the United States. In New England it 
is well known by the name of boxwood. It flowers very early 
in the' spring, and with so much regularity that some of our 
southern tribes were accustomed to name the Spring season 
from its flowering. The flowers generally make their appear- 
ance about the beginning of May, in the middle States, and ex- 
hibit a most beautiful appearance. The large white flowers 
ibrm a fine contrast with the green of the forest, and are the 



*3b MATERIA MEDICA, 

ornament of our woods. These are succeeded by oblong drupes 
or berries of a rich glossy crimson colour winch ripen in Sep- 
tember. They have a very bitter taste, and an infusion of 
them in rum or brandy is much esteemed as an agreeable morn- 
mg bitter. The bark both of the stem and root, is considerably 
astringent, and has long been employed in intermittent fevers. 
And as possessing properties closely allied to the Peruvian bark, 
this and the following article will be found excellent substitutes. 

Cornus Sericea, 

Or American red-rod cornel. Called also red willow ; swamp 
dogwood ; blue berried dogwood. It grows in a moist soil by 
the sides of creeks and rivers and in swamps, seldom attaining 
in height more than six or eight feet. In general a considerable 
number of stems arise from the rame root and are very straight. 
The bark of the young shoots is very smooth, shining, and of 
a rich dark red colour. The branches are placed opposite, as 
are also the leaves which a good deal resemble the cornus fio- 
rida. The flowers are produced in clusters or cymes at the ex- 
tremity of every branch, and give to this shrub a very elegant 
appearance, being of a whitish colour in June and July. They 
are succeeded by succulent drupes or berries, which are of a 
blue colour inclining to green when ripe. 

Both these American species of cornel are found by experi- 
ment? instituted by Dr. John M. Walker to possess the same 
ingredients with cinchona. The bark of cornus sericea forms 
a beautiful tincture with proof spirit, wbich has been useful in 
the latter stages of diarrhoea unaccompanied with fever. This 
and the powdered bark of both species are well deserving a 
place in the apothecaries' shops, as valuable additions to our 
Materia Medica. It is asserted by Dr. Walker that in what- 
ever form of disease the cinchona has been decidedly servicea- 
ble, the corni will be found equally so. They are like cinchona 
bark, bitter and astringent in the mouth, tonic and febrifuge in 
the stomach ; and their chemical analysis affortls results per- 
fectly analogous. Thirty-five grains of powdered bark of dog- 
wood is considered equal to thirty of cinchona. Professor Bar- 
ton adds his decided testimony relative to the efficacy of dog- 
wood as a valuable substitute for the Peruvian bark in the cure 
of intermittent fevers. 

This article as a remedy has attracted the attention of medi- 
cal practitioners' of the United States, many of whom have 
vouched for their tonic and astringent powers, as being little if 
any inferior to those of cinchona officinalis. If therefore our 
native productions are adequate to our exigencies let expensive 
exotics be rejected. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 481 

Dauous Carota. Wild Carrot. The seeds. 

The seeds of wild carrot have a moderately warm pungent 
taste, and an agreeable aromatic smell. They are carminative, 
and are said to be diuretic. The roots of the cultivated variety, 
common carrot, contains much mucilaginous and saccharine mat- 
ter, and are therefore highly nutritious and emollient. When 
beaten to a pulp, they form an excellent application to cance- 
rous and other ill-conditioned ulcers, allaying the pain, check- 
ing the suppuration and foetid smell> and softening the callous 
edges. A marmalade of carrots, on account of their strong- 
antiseptic qualities, has been successfully used for prerenting 
and curing the sea-scurvy. An infusion of these roots has also 
been found to afford considerable relief to persons afflicted with 
the stone and worms, but especially the tape worm. 

Dbaconitum FffiTiDUM. Linn. Skunk Cabbage. The root and 
seeds. 

This singular plant abounds in the swamps and meadows 
throughout New-England, and is found native in North Ameri- 
ca only. The vulgar name by which it is here generally known, 
is taken from its very rank and disagreeable smell, nearly re- 
sembling that of a skunk, of pole cat, and from its leaves re- 
sembling those of the cabbage. The roots aad seeds when 
fresh, impart to the mouth a sensation of pungency and acri- 
mony. 

This valuable domestic article is found to be well deserving 
of a place in our Materia Medica, and may be ranked high in 
the class of antispasmodic. The roots dried and powdered 
have proved of excellent use in asthmatic cases, and often afford- 
ed relief in this distressing disease when other means are inef- 
fectual. It should be exhibited during the paroxysm, and re- 
peated as circumstances may require, in doses of thirty or for- 
ty grains. It will be proper to persevere in the use of it for 
some time after the paroxysm has gone off, or till the patient 
is perfectly recovered, which is said to have been the method 
pursued by the Indians for the cure of this disease. The Rev. 
for. Cutler has announced his opinion of its efficacy as experi- 
enced in his own particular case after other remedies had dis- 
appointed his expectations. The antispasmodic powers of the 
skunk cabbage root have been displayed when prescribed in oth- 
er diseases. In one of the most violent hysteric cases I ever 
met with, says a correspondent, where the usual atispasmodics 
and even musk had failed, two tea-spoonsful of the powdered 
root in spirits and water procured immediate relief, and on 
repeating the trials with the same patient,, it afforded more last- 



4& MATERIA MEDICA. 

ing benefit than any other medicine. In those spasms frequent- 
ly affecting the abdominal muscles in parturition, he adds, it 
produces the desired effect in doses of one tea-spoonful repeat- 
ed occasionally. In numerous other instances of spasmodic 
affection, and also in chronic and acute rheumatism, this root 
either in powder or decoctioji has evinced its efficacy, and per- 
formed important cures, as attested by good authority, in con- 
firmation of my own experience. Two instances have been sta- 
ted in which this medicine has been supposed to be remarka- 
bly efficacious in the case of dropsy ; two tea-spoonsful of the 
powdered root being taken every morning successively till the 
cure was effected. The seeds of this plant are said by some to 
afford more relief in asthmatic cases than the root. A caution 
is suggested by Dr. Cutler, that in collecting the roots, poke root 
which some people call skunk weed, be not mistaken for this 
plant, as the consequence might be fatal. There is an obvioss 
distinction ; the hellebore has a stalk, but the skunk cabbage has 
none 5 and the roots of the latter are much larger than those of 
the former. 

Erigeron Philadelphicum. 

The Erigeron Philadelphicum, or Philadelphia Flea^Bane is one 
of the most common plants in many parts of the United States. 
A decoction or infusion of the plant has been used in Philadel- 
phia by several persons, for gouty and gravelly complaints, and 
some of them have informed me, that they have been much 
benefited by the use of the plant*. It operates powerfully as a 
diuretic, and also as a sudorific. This Erigeron is known in 
Pennsylvania by the name of Skevish, which I suspect is a cor- 
ruption of the word Scabious. But it must be confessed, that 
the genera Scabiosa (Scabious) and Erigeron are sufficiently re- 
mote from each other. 

I have never employed the ErigerOn Philadelphicum, in prac- 
tice : but I am led to believe, that there is some foundation for 
the assertions which I have noticed, because I find that the 
same plant is mentioned by Father Loureiro, as one of the 
remedies that are employed by the pleople of Cochinchina ; 
and he speaks of it as an active emmenagoguef . 

Eutatorium perfoliatum. Thorough Wort. The leaves and 
flowers. 

This is a native annual plant, flourishing abundantly in wet 
meadows and other moist places. The stalk is hairy and rises 

* See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 123. 

t Flora Codiinchinensis, &c. Tom. II. p. 500. UJyssiponse : 1790. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 453 

ifom two to four feet, perforating the leaves at each joint, from 
which it is sometimes called thorough stalk, or stem. The flow- 
ers are white and appear in July and August, forming a corym- 
hus at the termination of the branches. The leaves at each 
joint are horizontal, serrated and rough, from three to four inch- 
es long, and about one inch broad at their base, gradually les- 
sening to a very acute point, of a dark green, and covered with 
short hairs. Thorough wort certainly possesses active proper- 
ties, and deserves the attention of American physicians. It acts 
powerfully as a sudorific and emetic, and sometimes as a pur- 
gative, and has been successfully employed in intermittents and 
other fevers, either in decoction or the leaves in powder. Eve- 
ry part of the plant maybe advantageously employed, though 
the flowers appear most active. A watery infusion of the leaves 
is a powerful and not disagreeable bitter, and the flowers are 
deemed superior in this respect to those of camomile, and ought 
to be kept in the shops. The dried leaves in powder, or made 
into pills with lenitive electuary, given in doses of twelve or fif- 
teen grains, are of excellent effect as a mild laxativej obviating 
costiveness without inducing debility or heat ; correcting bile 
and promoting perspiration. This plant is frequently employ- 
ed in the country as a drench in diseases of cattle. There are 
several species in the United States- 

Frasera Carolinensis, Walth. ~) Columbo of Marietta. 

Frasera Waltheri, Mich. $ The root - 

It is a production of high land, a rich and loamy soil that is- 
covered with white oak, white thorn, and tufts of prairie grass. 
It flowers in July. The root as soon as it enters the earth 
shoots out in a horizontal direction ; is spindle shaped ; and 
when well grown is from eighteen to thirty inches in length, and 
two in diameter at the turn. Near the surface of the earth the 
root is wrinkled ; its colour in the young plant is a light yellow j 
and is solid and brittle. After the stalk is grown the root be- 
comes softer and less bitter. The proper time for collecting it 
seems to be in the spring of the third year. Dr. Hddreth asserts 
that from the experiments he has made with American colum- 
bo, he is induced to believe it fully equal, if not superior to the 
imported. It is in common use there, and has in one instance, 
in the heat of summer, put a stop to a wide spreading gangrene, 
on one of the lower extremeties, by internal use and external, 
application, when bark and other remedies had failed. 

The columbo plant is undoubtedly to be estimated as a valua- 
ble acquisition to our Materia Medica. The root, however, is 
found on examination to be of a lighter co'our, and to possess 
less of the bitter principle than the imported root. 

m 



434 MATERIA MEDIC A. 

Galega Virginiana. 

The Galega Virginiana, or Virginia-Goats-rue, is one the moit 
beautiful of ihe known North-American plants of the class of 
Diadelphia. It is very common in many parts of Pennsylvania, 
New-Jersey, &c. In Jersey, it is called Cat-gut, from the re- 
semblance of some of its roots to the article of this name. A 
decoction of the roots is rpputed a powerful anthelmintic. J 
have never used it. It may be observed, in this place, that, 
notwithstanding the general character of the class of Diadeiphia, 
there are in this class some very active and even deleterious 
vegetables. It is somewhat in favour of the anthelmintic pow- 
er 01 the Galega Virginiana, that some West-India species of 
the same genus are said to intoxicate and poison fish. 

Gaulthekia procumbens. 

The Gaultheria procumbens, which Ave call Mountain-tea*, Is 
Spread very extensively over the more barren, mountainous 
parts of the United States. It belongs to the same class as the 
plants just mentioned- I have made use of a strong infusion of 
this plant, which is evidently possessed of a stimulant and ano- 
dyne quality, I am told it has been found an useful medicine 
in cases of asthma. But I have not learned to what particular 
forms of this disease it is best adapted, nor in what manner it 
operates. 

Geranium maculatum, or Crane's Bill. The plant and roots. 

This is a common plant near Philadelphia, and in many oth- 
er parts of the United Mates. It is commonly known by the 
English name of a Crowfoot? and flowers in the spring. It i» 
a powerful astringent, and will stop very violent bleedings, if ap- 
plied to the wounded vessel. A decoction of this plant lias al- 
so, on some trials, manifested great efficacy in restraining inter- 
na! hsemorrhagy. The root boiled in milk is a common domes- 
tic remedy for the bowel complaints of children. 

Geum rivals. Comnwn Avcns, or Herb-bennet. The roof. 

Avens. Throat root. Cureall. 

The blossoms are purplish. In boggy meadows. May. — 
The root is powerfully astringent. A decoction of it has been 

• It is klso called Berrieci-tea, Grouse-berry, and Deer-berries. If I 
do not mistake, this is one of the principal articles in the materia medi- 
ea of some of our Indian tribes. In the language of" some of the Indians 
of* Canada, it is cailed Follow. 



MATERIA MEBIGA. 4S$ 

used, with good success, as a gargle, and a drink, in inflamed 
and ulcerated sore throats, and cankers. It is said, that the 
powdered root will cure tertain agues, and that it is much used 
by the Canadians for that purpose. 

Glycyrrhiza glabra. Liquorice. The root and extract. 

Liquorice is a perennial plant, and a native of the south of 
Europe, but is cultivated in considerable quantities, for medici- 
nal purposes. The root of tins plant has a sweet agreeable 
taste. This sweetness is extracted by water, by infusion or de- 
coction ; and, by evaporation, a dark coloured extract, of the 
same sweet taste, is obtained, consisting principally of saccha- 
rine and mucilaginous matter. Liquorice root is a pleasant de- 
mulcent, which is frequently added to infusions of linseed or 
althaea. 

There is no doubt of its gentle deterging qualities, which ren- 
der, it an excellent medicine in coughs, hoarseness, asthma, &c. 
for lubricating the throat, softening acrimonious humours, and 
affording relief to the organs of respiration. But with this in- 
tention it ought to be taken as a diet drink in considerable por- 
tions by way of infusion. This plant is found in the state of 
Vermont, and on the borders of the Ohio river. 

PIabiamelis Virginica. Witch-hazel. The bark. 

This singular shrub does not commonly bloom until its leaves 
are destroyed by frost, when its numerous blossoms make a gay 
and agreeable appearance ; and continue until the weather be- 
comes very cold, often until snow falls. The germen endures the 
severity of our winters uninjured ; for the fruit does not ripen 
until the next September, the time of its blossoming again, when 
ripe fruits and blossoms will be found on the same tree. The 
Indians considered this tree as a valuable article in their Materia 
Medica. They applied the bark, which is sedative and discutient, 
to painful tumors and . external inflammations. A cataplasm of 
the inner rind of the bark, is found to be very efficacious in re- 
moving painful inflammations of the eyes. The bark chewed in 
the mouth is, at first, somewhat bitter, verysensibly astringent;, 
and then leaves a pungent, sweetish taste, which will remain for a 
considerable time. The specific qualities of this tree seem, by 
no means to be accurately ascertained. It is probably possessed 
of very valuable properties. Cutler. 

Helenium autumnale. 

This is an extremely common plant in many parts of the Un- 
ion, growing generally along the margins of rivers, and flowering 



43ft MATERIA MEDlCA 

from the latter part of tlic summer through the autumn. The 
leaves and flowers of this plant possess the sternutative quality in 
an eminent degree: Gut it is strongest in the flowers, and espe- 
ci.-illv in the florets of the disk. A very small quantity of 
florets reduced to a powder between the fingers, or otherwise, 
gives a strong and durable impression, when applied to the nose. 
.Such, indeed, is the degree and durability of impression, without 
at the same time, any of the violent and dangerous stimulus, 
which is tiie consequence of the application of thejuices and oth- 
er preparations of certain species of Euphorbia, of Veratrum al- 
bum, &c, that I do not hesitate to consider the Helenium autum- 
nale (or Sneeze-weed, as it is called in some parts of Virginia, 
&c.) as a valuable addition to the list of our useful medicines. It 
may be employed either by itself, or combined with other 
table matters; or along with sulphat of mercury, as a mercurial 
errhine, The good and important effects of these mercurial erv- 
bines, and even of the simple vegetable errhines, are frequently 
so obvious, that it is to be regretted that they are not more fre- 
quently resorted to by physicians, in cases of amaurosis, or gutta 
serena ; in cases of deafness, especially perhaps when the aflect- 
ion depends upon a morbid state of the eustachian tube ; in cases 
of rheumatic congestions of the jaws, &c. In all these cases the 
errhine medicines have often been employed with much advan- 
tage by physicians : and it is a fact that they sometimes give re- 
lief when other measures, more generally applied, have been ap- 
plied in vain. 

Helleborus trifolius. Golden-thread. Mouth Root. The 
root. 

Golden-thread is a very small plant found in wet swampy situa- 
tions. The stems are erect and naked. The leaves grow by 
threes at the termination of the stems and are circular and scol- 
loped. The white solitary blossoms appear in May. The roots 
appear singular, being thread shaped, running, and of a bright 
yellow colour. They possess a considerable degree of astrin- 
gency and bitterness, and have long been employed by the peo- 
ple in the country as a remedy in apthas and cankerous sores ia 
the mouths of children with considerable benefit. From the 
bitter property possessed by these roots they are supposed by 
some to be useful as a stomachic bitter. 

IIetjchera Americana. 

The Heuchera Americana is the next astringent. This is 
sometimes called American Sanicle. It is more commonly call- 
ed Alum-root. The root is a very intense astringent. It is the 



.MATERIA MEDICA. 43£ 

basis of a powder, which nas lately acquired some reputation in 
the cure of a cancer. I suppose all its virtue, in this case, depends 
iipon its astringency. I may here observe, that the disease of 
cancer is not confined to civilized nations. It is known among 
©ur Indians. I am informed that the Cheerake cure it with a 
plant, which is thought to he the Hydrastis Canadensis, one of 
our fine native dyes. I do not believe that Heuchera has cured, 
genuine cancer ; but it seems certain, that it has proved very 
beneficial in some obstinate ulcers, which have been mistaken for 
cancer. In such cases, the astringent medicines are too much 
neglected. 

Humulus Lupulus. The common hop. The flowers. 

This perennial plant is a very strong bitter accompanied with 
a degree of aromatic flavour and some astringency 5 these are ex- 
tracted by water by infusion 5 by decoction the aromatic flavour 
is lost. Along with its bitterness it has a narcotic power : of this 
the popular remedy, sometimes successful, of a pillow of hops to 
procure sleep in the delirium of fever and in mania, is a proof. It 
accordingly, when given internally in a full dose, reduces the fre- 
quency of the pulse and procures sleep. It has been employed 
as an anodyne, either in substance, in the dose of three grains, or 
under the form of infusion or tincture. A cataplasm or ointment, 
prepared from it, has been also used as an anodyne application 
to cancerous sores. 

Hydrastis Canadensis.. 

This is a very common vegetable in various parts of the Uni- 
ted States ; particularly in the rich soil adjacent to the Ohio 
and its branches, in the western parts of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia ; and in Kentucky. The root of this plant is a very 
powerful bitter : perhaps not less so than that of the Zanthor- 
hiza. To the taste, however, it is unquestionably more pungent 
than the Zanthorhiza. When held between the lips, it even ex- 
cites a very considerable sense of pungent heat. The dried 
root has a strong and virose smell, very similar to that of the 
Zanthorhiza, but stronger. The infusion in hot water, smells 
very like the infusion of Zanthorhiza. The two infusions taste 
a good deal alike. 

Hyssopus officinalis. Hyssop. The herb- 

The leaves of hyssop have an aromatic smell, and a warm 
pungent taste ; they are particularly recommended 111 humoral 
asthmas, coughs, and other disorders of the breast and lungs j 
being supposed wonderfully to promote expectoration. Accor- 



438 MATERIA MEDICi^ 

ding to Kay, these leaves are of grear service when applied in 
cataplasms to bruises, the pain of which they speedily mitigate, 
and at the same time disperse every mark or spot from the part 
affected. 



Inula Helenium. Elecampane. The root. 

This is a very large downy perennial plant, sometimes found 
wild in moist rich soils. The root, especially when dry, has an 
agreeable aromatic smell ; its taste, on first chewing, is glutinous 
and somewhat rancid, quickly succeeded by an aromatic bitter- 
ness and pungency. The ancients entertained a high opinion of 
elecampane, which is recommended for promoting expectoration 
in humoral asthma and coughs; liberally taken, it is said to ex- 
cite urine, and loosen the belly. 

In some parts of Germany, large quantities of this root are 
candied, and used as a stomachic, for strengthening the tone of 
the viscera in general, and for attenuating viscid humors. Its 
dose is from twenty to sixty grains powdered ; and in this form, 
it has been found, by experience, to possess considerable efficacy. 

Juglans Cinerea. Butternut. IVhite Walnut. The unripe fruit, 
and the inner bark. 

This tree is generally known throughout the United States, 
and is now introduced into the Materia Medica of the Massa- 
chusetts Pharmacopoeia. During the American war, the ex- 
tract made from the inner bark of this tree, attracted the at- 
tention of Dr. Rush, and other medical men in our military 
hospital ; and, being frequently administered to patients under 
the operation of inoculated small pox, it was proved to be an 
excellent substitute for jalap or other cathartics. It is now es- 
teemed as a valuable purgative, in doses from ten to thirty 
grains, not occasioning heat or irritation ; and is greatly com- 
mended in cases of dysentery. Conjoined with calomel it is 
rendered more active and efficacious, especially in bilious hab- 
its. As this extract is often very carelessly prepared by the 
country people, it ought to be prepared by the apothecaries, or 
practitioners themselves ; and as a domestic medicine of consid- 
erable importance, it should he, adopted by every physician. — 
The bark of the root of this tree will excite a blister ; and the 
bark and shells of the nuts dye a good brown colour. A de- 
coction of the inner bark is advantageously employed as a ca- 
thartic in the disease of horses, called the yellow water. The 
e tract shoud be made from the bark in the month of May or 
June. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 430 

Jotjiperus communis. Juniper. The berries and leaves. 

This is an evergreen shrub growing on dry barren commons 
and hilly grounds in different parts of the United States as in 
Europe. If planted in a good soil it will attain the height of 
fifteen or sixteen feet, and produce numerous branches . It is 
remarkable that no grass will grow beneath this shrub. This 
tree has three spreading pointed leaves coming out together, that 
are longer than the berry. The wood is of a reddish ceiour, 
very hard and durable. Gum sandarach, more commonly cal- 
led pounce, is the product of this tree. The flowers are borne 
upon a conical catkin, the scales of of which serve the purpose 
of a calyx. The berries of the Juniper require two years be- 
fore they ripen, when they change from a green, or a blackish 
purple, to a bluish black colour. Juniper berries possess a 
strong not disagreeable smell, and a warm pungent sweet taste, 
which if they be long chewed, or previously bruised, is follow- 
ed by a bitterish one. 

Their predominant constituents are, an essential oil, and a 
sweet mucilaginous matter. To the oil, they are indebted for 
their stimulating,carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties. 

They are most commonly used in the form of infusion, to 
which a little gin is added, as a diuretic drink in dropsy. The 
essential oil may be separated by distillation. It possesses the 
same properties in a higher degree, and imparts them to ardent 
spirits. 

The peculiar flavour, and well-known diuretic effects of Hol- 
land gin, are owing to the oil of juniper. 

Juniperus Virginiana. Common Red Cedar Tree. The leaves. 

The red cedar tree is a native of the United States, and grows 
to the height of fifteen or twenty feet. Its berries are smaller than 
those of the true juniper. In Virginia and Carolina the berries 
are distilled into brandy. The leaves of this tree are now 
brought into notice by the investigation of Dr. Aaron Dexter., 
Professor of Chemistry, and Materia Medica, in the University 
at Cambridge. He has found this to be the only species of ju- 
niper in the United States, whose leaves agree in their proper- 
ties with those of the savine, directed by Dr. Crowther, as the 
basis of the savine ointment. 

Lactuca sativa. Common Garden Lettuce. The herb. 

This plant, so valuable as an article of diet, abounds with a 
milky juice, which possesses all the characteristic properties of 
the opium of the shops, and may be procured from it in sufficient 



440 MATERIA MEDICA. 

quantity, to repay any labour bestowed on it for this purp«se. 
The laudanum made from the opium of the lettuce increases the 
pulse in force and frequency, and produces generally the same 
effects as result from similar doses of common laudanum. It 
has been used with advantage in allaying the pain of chronic 
rheumatism, and colic ; in checking the frequent stools accom- 
panying diarrhoea; in allaying cough, &c. &c; and doubtless 
the plant may be advantageously cultivated for medical pur- 
pose.?, especially as the opium is procured after the period in 
which the plant is usefid for the table. 

Laurus Benzoin. 



During the late American war, necessity drove the inhabit- 
ants, in many parts of the United States, to seek for a substi- 
tute for some of the spices to which they had been accustom- 
ed. They used the dried and powdered berries of the Laurus 
Benzoin, which we call Spicewood, and Wild-Alspice-bush, and 
found them a tolerable substitute for alspice*. 

A watery infusion of the twigs and leaves of the Laurus Ben- 
zoin, is often given to children, with a view to destroy and dis- 
lodge worms, and is deemed an efficacious medicine in this 
case. 

Laurus Sassafras. Sassafras. The wood, root, and its bark. 

This tree is a native of North America, and is cultivated in 
Jamaica. The wood, root, and its bark are used ; they have a 
moderately fragrant smell, and a sweetish aromatic taste. Sas- 
safras is a warm aperient and strengthening medicine ; it has 
often been successfully given in the form of infusion and decoc- 
tion, for improving the tone of the stomach and bowels, in per- 
sons whose humors were in a vitiated state. The essential oil 
is highly stimulating and heating, and must be given only in very 
small doses, being a sudorific and diuretic remedy. The bark ie 
useful in intermittents ; and the oil is said to be efficacious, appli- 
ed externally to wens. 

Lavandula Spica. Lavender. The flowering spikes. 

Lavender is a well known small, shrubby, perennial plant, a 
native of the south of Europe, but frequently cultivated in our 

• " A decoction of the small twig's rrutkrs an agreeable drink in slow 
•• fevers, and is much used by the covin try people. I' is said the In- 
" dians esteemed it highly for its medicinal virtues." Reverend Dr. M 
Cutler 



MATERIA MEDICA. 441 

gardens for the sake of its perfume. There are two varieties. 
Tlie flowers of both have a fragrant, agreeable smell, and a warm 
pungent, bitterish taste ; the broad leaved sort is the strongest in 
both respects, and yields in distillation thrice as much essential 
oil as the other ; it is also hotter and specifically heavier ; hence 
in the southern parts of France, where both kinds grow wilu, this 
only is used for tlie distillation of what is called oil- of spike. 
The narrow leaved, is the sort commonly met with in our gar- 
dens. 

Lavender is considered as a warm stimulating aromatic. It is 
principally used as a perfume. 

Leontodon Taraxacum. Dandelion. The root and leaves. 

An indigenous, perennial plant, growing in meadows and pas- 
tures, on road sides, ditch banks, &c. It produces a yellow flow- 
er, which blows from April to September, and has the remarka- 
ble quality of expanding early in the morning, and closing in the 
evening. The root, leaves, and stalk, contain a large proportion, 
of bitter milky juice, which possesses considerable activity. Its 
more immediate operation is, to remove visceral obstructions, 
and promote the urinary discharge : the dose prescribed by 
Boerhaave for this purpose, is four ounces, to be taken three or 
four times in a day ; and later experience has corroborated its 
great efficacy in dropsical and other complaints connected with 
a disordered state of the first passages. 

By modern writers dandelion is highly extolled in the treat- 
ment of chronic inflammation of the liver, or incipient scirrhus 
of that organ, and also in several chronic derangements of the 
stomach, in a dose of half a drachm of the extract twice a. day. 
Either a strong decoction or the fresh expressed juice, in doses 
from two ounces to four, two or three times within the twenty- 
four hours, will, however, be found more active preparations. 

Leonurus Cardiaca. Motherwort. The leaves. 

This is a very common indigenous plant, growing in waste 
places, and flowering in July and August. The stalk is square, 
the leaves are spear shaped and three lobed. The flowers are 
in thorny whorls, purplish within and white on the outside. — 
The leaves are opposite, two to each whorl. They have a 
Strong, disagreeable odour, and bitter taste. 

Motherwort was formerly supposed to be useful in some ner- 
vous and hysterical complaints, and as a strengthener of the 
stomach. Its medicinal virtues are not undeserving of notice. — 
Though rejected from pharmacopoeias, it will not readily be 
abandoned by the female class, being peculiarly adapted to some 
86 



-14si MATERIA MEDICA. 

constitutions when affected with nervous and hysterical agita- 
tions. An infusion of this plant is a common domestic medi- 
cine, taken at bed time, it composes and procures refreshing 
sleep in a manner similar to valerian, when it could not be ob- 
tained by the operation of opium. 

Linum csitatissimu-M. Common Flax. The seeds and their 
fixed oil. 

Linseed contains about one fifth of mucilage, and one sixth 
of fixed oil. It is therefore considered as emollient and demul- 
cent. The entire seeds are only used in cataplasms. The mu- 
cilage resides wholly in the skin, and is separated by infusion 
or decoction. The infusion is used as a pectoral drink, and in 
ardor urime, nephritic pains, and during the exhibition of cor- 
rosive sublimate. Flaxseed syrup is made by adding to two 
pints of the mueilage one pint of honey ; while simmering away 
Dy a gentle heat observe to take off the scum as it rises. This 
is highly useful in all kinds of coughs, and other diseases of the 
breast and lungs. The oil is separated by expression. It is 
one of the cheapest fixed oils; but is generally rancid or nau- 
seous, and unfit for internal use. These seeds, when reduced to 
powder and properly blended with hot water, form one of the 
most convenient and useful of cataplasms. 

The cake which remains after expression of the oil, contains 
the farinaceous and mucilaginous part of the seed, and is used in 
fattening cattle, under the name of oil cake. 

LlQUlDAMBAK ASPLENIFOLIUM. 

The Liquidambar asplenifolium* of Linna?us is well known bv 
the name of Sweet-Fern. It lias often been found useful in diar- 
rhoea. Other virtues have been ascribed to it.t 

Colden was informed, that the Indians chew the root of this 
vegetable, with a view to stop haemorrhages in recent wounds. 
Tins effect of the Sweet-Fern may, perhaps, meet with some 
credit from those who have witnessed the wonderful powers of 
small doses of the preparations of lead, in diminishing and stop- 
ping, almost immediately after their reception into the stomach, 
haemorrhages from the uterus, intestines, &c. 

• Comptonui asplenifolia of Aiton. 

t See Schoepf's Materia Medica, &c. p. 142. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 443 

Liriodendron Tulipifera. Tulip bearing Poplar' Tulip tree. 
The bark of the root. 

A native and well known tree in the United States, called al- 
so American poplar, white wood, and in some parts of New- 
England improperly called cypress tree. It attains to a very 
large size, rising as high as any forest tree, and makes a noble 
and beautiful appearance when in flower, about the middle of 
May. This tree is remarkable for the shape of its leaves, hav- 
ing the middle lobe of the three truncate, or cut transversely at 
the end. The flowers are large and beli shaped ; calyx of three 
leaves, six petals to the corolla, marked with green, yellow, and 
red spots ; and many lance shaped seeds, lying one over anoth- 
er, and forming a sort of cone. The bark of the root has long 
been employed by medical men in the United States, as a to- 
nic, and when joined with various proportions of prinos virticil- 
latus, and cornus Jlorida, has afforded a remedy of equal effica- 
cy with Peruvian bark. It is a strong bitter, and considerably 
aromatic and antiseptic, and has been found particularly bene- 
ficial in the last stage of dysentery. The powdered root com- 
bined with steel dust is an excellent remedy in relation to the 
stomach. According to Dr. Barton, the bark is used in some 
parts in gout and rheumatism. A decoction of it is said to be 
a common remedy in Virginia for botts in horses. 

Lobelia cardinalis. 

The Cheerake use a decoction of the root of the beautiful Lo- 
belia Cardinalis, or Cardinal-Flower, as a remedy against worms. 
I have already mentioned the diuretic quality of another spe- 
cies of this genus, the Lobelia siphilitica. 

Malva sylvestris. Common Mallow* The leaves and flowers. 

This is an annual plant, growing in hedges, foot paths, and 
among rubbish. The whole plant abounds with mucilage. — 
The leaves were formerly often used in food, to prevent costive- 
ness. At present, decoctions of the plant are sometimes pre- 
scribed in dysenteries and urinary complaints ; though it is chief- 
ly employed in emollient cataplasms, clysters, and fomentations. 

Marrubium vulgare. Wliite Horelwunct The leaves. 

This is a perennial plant, which grows wild on road sides, and 
among rubbish. The leaves have a very strong, not disagreea- 
ble smell, and a roughish, very bitter taste. It is reputed to be 



444 MATERIA MEDIC A. 

both attendant and resolvent; an infusion of the leaves m water, 
sweetened with hone}', is recommended in asthamtic and phthisi- 
cal complaints, as well as in most other diseases of the breast 
and lungs. They promote the fluid secretions in general, and 
liberally taken, loosen the belly. 

Dr. Withering observes that it was a favourite medicine with 
the ancients in obstructions of the viscera. He says, that it is 
the principal ingredient in the negro Caesars remedy for veg- 
etable poisons. That a young man who had occasion to take 
mercurial medicines, was thrown into a salivation which con- 
tinued for more than a year. Every method that was tried to 
remove it, rather increased the complaint. At length Linnaeus 
prescribed an infusion of this plant, and the patient got well in a 
short time. 

Melissa officinalis. Balm. The leaves. 

Balm is much cultivated in our gardens on account of its pleas- 
ant aromatic smell, resembling that of the lemon, and its fra- 
grant though roughish taste. It is principally employed in tiie 
form of a watery infusion, which is drunk in the manner of tea ; 
and in acute fevers, when acidulated with the juice of lemon, it 
is an useful diluent. 

Mentha viridis. Spearmint. The herb- 

Spearmint is perennial and grows on the banks of rivers, and 
in watery situations ; and flowers in the months of July and Au- 
gust. The leaves have a warm, roughish, somewhat bitterish 
taste ; and a strong, not unpleasant, aromatic smell. Their 
virtues are stomachic and carminative. 

Mentha piperita. Peppermint. The herb. 

Of the different mints, this is the one which has the greatest 
degree of pungency. The leaves have a strong, rather disa- 
greeable smell, and an intensely pungent aromatic taste, resem- 
bling that of pepper ; and accompanied with a peculiar sensa- 
tion of coldness. They afford an essential oil, rich in the aro- 
matic quality of the herb- It also contains a small portion of 
camphor. 

Peppermint is used as a stimulant and carminative, to obviate 
nausea or griping, or to relieve the symptoms resulting from 
flatulence, and very frequently to cover the taste and odour of 
other medicines. It is also an excellent stomachic, of great use 
in flatulent colics, languors, and hysteric cases, and in vomiting. 
It is used under the forms of the watery infusion, the distilled 



MATERIA MEDICA. 445 

water, and the essential oil. This last being dissolved in a due 
proportion of rectified spirit of wine, and coloured with green 
grass, forms the essence of peppermint of the shops ; a fashiona- 
ble and pleasant carminative, which, when taken on sugar, im- 
parts a glowing taste, sinking into the tongue, and extending its 
effects through the whole system, instantly communicating a 
glowing warmth. 

Myrica cerifera. Dwarf Candleberry Myrtle. Bayb&rry. The 
bark of the root. 

There are in the United States several species of this plant, 
from which myrtl-s wax is obtained in abundance. The dwarf 
candleberry myrtle, commonly called in the New England 
States, bayberry, is a plant which possesses considerable medi- 
cinal virtues. The bark of the root is much employed by com- 
mon people in jaundice, from obstructions to the flow of bile. — 
This medicine has been employed by the aborigines as a mild 
emetic. According to Dr. James Mann, of Wrentham, who has 
used the bark in powder, its strength is equal to ipecacuanha. — ■ 
A more particular acquaintance with its medicinal properties 
ought to be attempted by practical experiments. 

Orobanche Virginiana. 

The Orobanche Virginiana, or Virginian Broom-rape, is a 
very common plant in many parts of North-America. Michaux 
says that it grows from Canada to Georgia. It is generally, if 
not always, found under the shade of the American Beach-tree 
(Fagus ferruginea)*. Hence one of its names, in Pennsylvania, 
viz. " Beach-drops." But it is much more generally known by 
the name of Cancer-root.t 

Panax quinquefolium. 

The celebrated Ginseng, or Panax quinquefolium, may, with 
propriety, be thrown into the class of stimulants^ . I find it dif- 
ficult to speak of this plant with any degree of certainty. If it 
were not a native of our woods, it is probable that we should im- 
port it, as we do the teas of China and Japan, at a high price. 

* Michaux entirely restricts its habitation to the root of the Beach : 
" In radice Fagi nee alia: plants:." Flora, &c. Tom. II. p. 26. 

f See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 80. 

t The Ginseng is by no means a powerful stimulant. It is not very 
happily arranged in the class of JWedicamenta Stimulantia, or Incitantia.- 
The Indians make use of a tea prepared of the leaves as well as the root 
of this plant. But I cannot learn, that they so highly esteem the Ginseng 
as their Tartar brethren in Asia do. 



44G MATERIA MEDICA. 

Phttola* ca becandra. American Nightshade. Garget. The 
leaves, berries, and root. 

This is one of the most common North American plants, well 
known in New-England by the name of cunicum, skoke, or 
coakum. In the southern states it is called pokeweed. It has 
a t!;ick, fleshy, perennial root as large as parsnips. From this 
rise many purplish herbaceous stalks, about an inch thick, and 
six or seven feet long ; which break into many branches irregu- 
larly set with large, oval, sharp pointed leaves, supported on 
short foot stalks. These are, at first, of a fresh green colour, 
but as they grow old they turn reddish. At the joints and di- 
visions of the branches, come forth long bunches of small bluish 
coloured flowers, consisting of five concave petals each, sur- 
rounding ten stamina and ten stiles. These are succeeded by 
round depressed berries, having ten cells, each of which con- 
tains a single smooth seed. The young stems when boiled are 
as good as asparagus, but when old they are to be used with 
caution, being a plant of great activity, operating both as an 
emetic and cathartic. A tincture of the ripe berries in brandy 
or wine, is a popular remedy for rheumatism and similar affec- 
tions ; and it may be given with safety and advantage in all ca- 
ses where guaiacum is proper. The extract of the juice of the 
ripe berries has been employed in some cases of scrofula • and 
cancerous ulcers have been greatly benefitted by its application* 
The juice of the leaves, however, is said to be more effectual. 

Dr. Shultz in his ingenious inaugural dissertation on this sub- 
ject, observes, that « scabies and herpes have been often remov- 
ed by it. In these cases, a solution of the extract in water is 
generally substituted where the expressed juice cannot be had. 
In rheumatisms, the whole substance of this plant has at differ- 
ent times been of essential service ; although the berries have 
generally been preferred. In those rheumatic affections which 
sometimes occur to syphilitic patients, its virtue far exceeds that 
of opium : and it seems more valuable than guaiacum, especial- 
ly when combined with mercury. 

H For medicinal purposes, the leaves should be gathered about 
July, when the foot stalks begin to assume a reddish colour, dri- 
ed in the shade, and powdered for use. An extract may easily 
be obtained fpom the leaves when gathered at this period, by 
gently evaporating their expressed juice to a proper consis- 
tency." 

A tincture may be made by dissolving either the extract or 
the leaves, in their green or dry state, m common brandy, or 
m the spirit distilled from the berries. 

An ointment is also made by powdering the dried leaves, .and 
g them svell with hog's lard, or simple cerate j or by boil. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 447 

■ing some hog's lard and bees wax with fresh leaves, and strain- 
ing the mass. The proper time for gathering the berries in this 
climate is in October, when they become soft and ripe, and are 
of a blackish colour. 

The root is to be gathered about November or December, 
when the stalks of the plant are perfectly dead, and to facili- 
tate drying, it should previously be divided into small pieces. — 
An extract may be made from the root in the same manner as 
from the leaves or berries. 

It is affirmed by a physician of reputation and experience, 
that the leaves of phytolacca decandra have been found an ad- 
mirable remedy in hajmorrhois. A strong infusion is given in- 
ternally, and if it does not speedily relieve, the same infusion is 
to be injected into the rectum. This method will in general ef- 
fect a perfect cure. 

According to the experience of. Drs. Jones and Kollock, of 
Savannah, this plant may be relied on as an effectual remedy 
for syphilis in its various stages, even without the aid of mercu- 
ry ; and they employ it with much confidence, both internally 
and externally iu rheumatisms, and in cutaneous eruptions. — 
One ounce of the dried root infused in a pint of wine, and giv- 
en to the quantity of two spoonsful, operates kindly as an emet- 
ic. The roots are sometimes applied to the hands and feet of 
patients in ardent fevers. Many country people use the extract 
with great confidence in its efficacy in discussing indolent tu- 
mors, and in healing various kinds of ulcers. It is found to ope- 
rate as a mild vegitable caustic, cleansing and healing foul ulcers 
better than most other remedies of that class. In three cases of 
apparent Jistula lachrymalis, it is reputed to have performed 
cures, by being applied to the tumors twice a da^ for two or 
three weeks. This root has also been employed in compounds 
as an article of dying. 

Pimpinella Anisum. Anise. The seeds. 

Anise is an annual umbelliferous plant, growing naturally in 
Crete, Syria, and other places of the East. 

The seeds of anise have an aromatic odour, and a warm taste 
with a share of sweetness. They afford by distillation with wa- 
ter, a considerable quantity of an essential oil, having a strong 
flavour, and a sweet taste without pungency. 

Anise is used as a good carminative in dyspepsia, and in the 
flatulence to which children are subject. A drachm or two of 
the seeds may be taken, or a few drops of the oil rubbed with, 
sugar. 



tm MATERIA MEDICA. 

Plantago major. Plantain. The leaves. 

Great plantain is perennial, common in fields and by the road 
sides, flowering from June to August. The country people ap- 
ply the bruised leaves of this vegetable to slight wounds, and 
inflamed sores and swellings with a favourable effect. It has 
been recorded in a Virginia gazette, 1802, that a gentleman was 
bitten above the knee by a venomous spider. In a few min- 
utes be observed a pain shooting upwards from the spot, which 
presently reached h;s heart. A quantity of plantain leaf was 
immediately procure';, and the juice being bruised out was swal- 
lowed largely, by which the progress of the poison was stopt, 
and finally a cure was effected. Some oil was also swallowed, 
but the plantain leaf had the entire credit of his recovery, and 
but for this remedy, he said he could not have survived an hour 
longer. 

Podophyllum peltatum. May apple. Mandrake. The root. 

This plant is very common throughout North America. The 
fruit is esculent, and by many, thought delicious. The leaves 
are poisonous. The root is an excellent purgative in doses of 
twenty grains. It is most advantageously used in combination 
with calomel, or crystals of tartar. The root, also, often ope- 
rates as anthelmintic, and as such, it is used by the Cherokee 
and other Southern Indians. 

The best time of gathering the May apple, for medical pur- 
poses, is in autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow, and 
are about falling off. The Indians dry it in the shade, and 
powder it for use. 

Polygala Senega. Seneka. Rattle Snake Root. The root, 

Seneka is a perennial plant, which abounds in nearly all the 
United States, particularly in Virginia and Pennsylvania. This 
root is usually about the thickness of the little finger, variously 
bent, and contorted, and appears as if composed of joints^ 
whence it is supposed to resemble the tail of the animal whose 
name it bears ; a kind of membranous margin runs on each 
side, the whole length of the root. 

This root was first introduced into use in 1739, by Dr. Ten- 
nent, of Virginia, who wrote a pamphlet on the subject, and 
highly extolled 't as a remedy for many complaints, and par- 
ticularly, as a specific for the cure of the bite of the rattle-snake. 
It is an active stimulus, and increases the force of the circula- 
tion, especially of the pulmonary vessels. It has therefore been 
found useful in typhoid inflammation of the lungs, but it is apt te 



MATERIA MEDICA. 4# 

disorder the stomach, and to induce diarrhoea. Some have 
likewise employed this root in hydropic cases, and not without 
success. 

There are examples of its occasioning a plentiful discharge by 
stool, urine, and perspiration ; and by this means removing the 
disease, after the common diuretics and hydragogues had faded. 
It sometimes induces salivation, and it possesses diuretic, em- 
etic, cathartic, expectorant, and diaphoretic powers. Dr. Arch- 
er, of Maryland, discovered the great utility of seneka snake-root, 
as a remedy for that fatal disease, the croup, and speaks with 
confidence as to the general good effects produced by it. The 
decoction of the root is the manner in which he generally gives 
it; the strength must be determined by the physician; it must 
be so strong, as to act sensibly on his own mouth and throat, in 
exciting coughing, &c. for in this disease, the larynx (mouth of 
the wind pipe) in a manner loses its natural sensibility. Half an 
ounce of the root of seneka, bruised, and simmered in a close ves- 
sel, in half a pint of water, until reduced to four ounces, will, 
probably, in most cases be sufficiently strong. A tea spoonful of 
this to be given every hour or half hour, as the urgency of the 
symptoms shall demand ; and during these intervals, a few drops 
occasionally, to keep up a sensible action of the medicine, in 
the mouth and throat, until it act as an emetic and cathartic ; 
then repeated in small quantities, and so frequently as to keep up 
a constant stimulus in the same. By these means, in the course 
of two, four, six, or eight hours, a membrane is often times dis- 
charged by the mouth, one, two, and often three inches in length $ 
sometimes it is swallowed and voided by stool. 

Patients who use the medicine should not be permitted to drink 
any thing whatever, for some minutes after each dose. The 
reason must be obvious to all. The powder has lately been used 
by Drs. Archer and Son, in doses of four or five grains, mixed 
with a little water, with effects equally as pleasing as the decoc- 
tion, and more so, unless the latter have been carefully prepared. 
It should be remarked that this powerful stimulant cannot with 
safety be exhibited during the inflammatory stage of croup. It 
is in the third or last stage only, it has been found extremely use- 
ful in exciting the vessels of the trachea and lungs to a powerful' 
excretion. 

Seneka has been usefully employed in the decline of pleurisies 
and catarrhs, to promote expectoration. In suppressed coughs 
of aged persons, and in asthma, it is doubtless useful; a ge.itle 
and constant stimulus on the throat should be kept up in these 
diseases. It has also been exhibited as a powerful remedy in 
cases of female obstructions. Dr. Chapman of Philadelphia has 
found it of great utility in obstinate amenorrhea when given in 
decoction prepared by adding an ounce of the root to a pint of 
57 



450 MATERIA MEDIC A 

boiling water, which is slowly reduced by simmering to the quan- 
tity of one third. Four ounces of the decoction is to be taken 
during the day, increasing it when the menstrual effort is expect- 
ed, as far as the stomaeh will allow. If this excite nausea, he 
adds aroinatics. To prevent disgust, it is omitted a week or 
two in the intervals of the menstrual periods. The polygala san- 
guinea, a new species discovered at Savannah, has been used as 
a substitute for the polygala seneka. 

Prinos Yerticillatur. Winter Berry. Black Alder. The bark 
and berries. 

This is a very common shrub in many parts of the United 
States, and grows in the greatest perfection in swamps and mar- 
shy places. The bark is manifestly astringent. It is likewise 
considerably bitter, and pungent. 

The berries, which are of a fine red colour, greatly partake of 
the hitter quality ; and, if infused in wine or brandy, might be ad- 
vantageousiy employed in cases win re hitler tinctures are exhib- 
ited. The bark has been used as a substitute tor the Peruvian 
bark, in intermittents and other diseases, both in substance and 
decoction. It is supposed to be chiefly useful in cases of great 
debility unaccompanied with fever, as a corroborant in anasar- 
ca is and other dropsies, and as a tonic in cases of incipient spha- 
celus or gangrene. It is both given internally, and employed ex- 
ternally as a wash. On many occasions, it appears to be more 
useful than the Peruvian bark. Professor Barton says, it ought 
to have a place in the shops, and in the pharmacopoeia of this 
country, when such a desideratum shall be supplied. Dr. Mease 
observes, (Philadelphia Medical Museum, vol. 2.) it is useful in 
mortification, united with the root of sassafras, in decoction, &c. 
Care must be taken to distinguish our prinos from the swamp al- 
der or candle alder. 

Pruxus ViRGiSiANA. Wild Cherry Tree. The bark of the tree 
and root. 

The common wild cherry tree is often found in woods and 
and is associated with the trees of the forest, growing to 
ight of forty or more ieet and of a very large size. The 
g im which exudes from the tree is said to be equal to gum ara- 
ble. This tree produces in Autumn a small bitter cherry, black 
when quite ripe, which serves for food for birds who frequently 
become intoxicated from eating them. They also are infused in 
brandy by the country people on account of tbe pleasant aromatic 
flavour which they impart to the liquor. The bark of the wild 
tree is powerfully tonic, and has been frequently substi- 



MATERIA MEDICA. 451 

tuted for the Peruvian bark, with great success. It is slightly- 
narcotic, and commonly produces a drowsiness in those who take 
it. From the experiments of Mr. C. Morris of Virginia, (Inaug. 
Diss. 1812, Phila.) it appeared that the bark of the root was more 
powerful than the bark of the trunk. It has been very useful in 
dyspepsia and in consumption of the lungs. The Indians it is 
said, use the bark in the cure of syphilis. Very excellent effects 
have been produced by washing ill conditioned ulcers with a de- 
coction of the bark, and the same has proved anthelmintic. The 
leaves of the tree are poisnoHS to certain animals. While this 
valuable tree abounds in the United States, we act unwisely, says 
Dr. Mease, in sending thousands of dollars out of the countxy for 
the Peruvian bark. 



Pyrola umbellata, 

Gf the Pyrola umbella.ta I have made no mention in the first 
part of this work. It is a very common North-American plant, 
and is sometimes called Ground-Holly, but is much better known 
(at least in New-Jersey and in Pennsylvania) by the name of 
Pippsisseva*, which is one of its Indian appellations. In the sex- 
ual system of Linnaeus, it belongs to the same class and order 
(Decandria monogynia) as the UvaUrsi. It also belongs to the 
same natural assemblage of plants as the last mentioned vegeta- 
ble, via. : the order Bicomes of Linnanis, and the order Ericce 
of Mr. de Jussieu. The two plants are, unquestionably, nearly 
allied to each other in respect to their botanical affinity, as well 
as in their medical properties. 

The pyrola is considerably astringent, and the quantity of as- 
tringency appears to be nearly the same in the leaves and in 
the stems. Hitherto, it has not greatly excited the attention of 
physicians. But I think it is worthy of their notice. A res- 
pectable physician, in East-Jersey, informed me, that he had 
employed this plant, with manifest advantage, in the same cases 
in which Uva Ursi has been found so useful. This looks very 
probable : for it would seem, from many facts, that the lithon- 
triptic powers of the Uva Ursi, are, in no small degree, owing 
to the astringent quality of this plant : and, " perhaps, upon the 
" whole (as an eminent practitioner!" has observed,) we shall 
u find it no better than other vegetable astringents : some of 
a which have long been used by the country people, in gravelly 

* Perhaps, Pkipsseatua. 

f Dr. Withering-. See A Systematic Arrangement of British Plants, &c, 
■VW.II. p. 391. London: 1801. 



45ii MATERIA MEDICA. 

" complaints, and with very great advantage : though hitherto 
" unnoticed by the regular practitioners.*'' 

The Pyrola, as I am informed by my pupil Dr. John S. Mitch- 
ell, has been used, with good effect, in some cases of intevniit- 
tents. In one case, its diuretic operation was evident. u The 
" urine discharged was almost black. It appeared as if a few 
K drops of a solution of the sulphat of iron had been put into an 
" astringent infusion." This was a solitary occurrence, and one 
which I am unable to explain. 

For more ample information concerning this vegetable, I beg 
leave to refer the reader to Dr. Mitchell's Inaugural Essay m 
the Arbutus Via Ursi, and the Pyrola umbellata and maeutata of 
Lirin'aeusf. Prefixed to this dissertation, there is a good figure 
of the Pyrola umbellata. 

Tiie bruised leaves of this plant, when externally applied, 
sometimes induce redness, vesication and desquamation of the 
skin. But this is by no means a constant operation of the veg- 
etable ; and therefore, it does not seem particular!} 7 - worthy oi 
our attention, in this point of view. 

Quercus alba. Oak. The bark. 

White oak bark exceeds in astringency the Peruvian bark 
and falls but little, if any short of it, in its tonic powers. Hence, 
we have a valuable domestic substitute for Peruvian bark, which 
is successfully employed in baemorrhagies, alvine fluxes, and 
other preternatural or immoderate secretions. On account of 
the great difficulty in reducing it to a sufficiently fine powder, it 
is most commonly given in decoction. 

Ranunculus bulbosus and sceleratus. 

The Ranunculus sceleratus, or Celery-leaved Crowfoot, is a 
very acrid plant. If it be bruised, and laid upon any part of 
the bod}-, it will, in a few hours time, raise a blister. This 
plant is a native of Europe and of America. The Ranuncu- 
lus bulbosus, called Bulbous Crowfoot, and Butter-cups, possesses 
the same properties. This plant grows very plentifully in our 
meadows and fields ; but I believe it is not a native. 

* I cannot forbear mentioning in this place (at the risk, perhaps, of 
exposing- myself to the ridicule of the mere theorist,) that the nuclei, or 
kernels, of the common American Hazlenut (Corylus Americana) have 
been found very useful in affording relief to several persons labouring 
under nephritic and perhaps calculous affections . 1 mention this fact 
on the respectable authority of my frind, Dr. Frederick Kuhn, of Lan 
caster, in Pennsylvania. Do these kernels act solely by virtue of then- 
astringent quality ? 

j Philadelphia : 1803. 



MATERIA MEDICA. 453 

The Ranunculus bulbosus. Every part of tins species of Ra- 
nunculus is endued with an acrid quality. But it is especially 
the bulbous-like root which has frequently been used as a sub- 
stitute for cantharides. Where the foreign and native species 
of blistering-flies cannot readily be procured, this Ranunculus 
ought not to be neglected. I have employed it, and am dispos- 
ed to think, that it gives a more durable irritation to the part 
to which it is applied, than the anima 1 blisters which I have 
mentioned. If this suspicion be well founded, it will not be de- 
nied, that there are cases in which the Ranunculus ought even 
to be preferred to those blisters. Among other such cases, I may 
mention vertigo, and affections of the stomach, both originating 
in a misplaced or irregular gout. I must not omit to add, that 
the roots of the Ranunculus, that are collected in the fall, may 
be very well preserved through the winter, by burying them in 
some fine, siliceous sand. When thus preserved, they retain, 
with very little diminution, their active irritating quality. 

Rhus Copallinum. Narrow leaved Sumach. The berries. 

Narrow leaved Sumach, grows naturally in most parts of the 
United States j rising to the height of six feet in a slaty gravelly 
soil. The berries are very acid, and are sprinkled with a gray? 
ish pounce, of an agreeable acid taste. 

Rhus Glabeum. Pennsylvanian Sumach, The berries. 

Rhus glabrum, smooth Pennsylvanian sumach, common or 
upland sumach, rising to the height of eight or ten feet. The 
leaves are feathered, sawed 5 lanced, naked on both sides, and 
change to a beautiful red in autumn : it flowers in July. The 
seeds are arranged like the flowers, are red, and covered with a 
white powder of an agreeable acid taste. 

The two species above described are considerably astringent. 
An infusion of the berries sweetened with honey is sometimes 
used for a gargle in sore throats, and for cleansing the mouth in 
putrid fevers. They are also recommended as useful in several 
of the arts. The leaves or berries are found a valuable substi- 
tute for nut galls in dyeing or making ink, they give a deep 
and permanent black. The plants in all their parts may be us- 
ed as a succedaneum for oak bark in tanning, especially the 
white glove leather. 

Rhus Typhinum- Virginian Sumach. Stag's Horn. Vinegar 
Plant. The berries. 

This plant grows naturally in almost every part of the United 
Slates. In Virginia and Pennsylvania, it rises to the height of 



i54 MATERIA MEDICA. 

twelve or fifteen feet, with a trunk of six or eight inches in diam- 
eter. The young branches are covered with a soft velvet-like 
down, and from their resemblance to the horn of a stag, the 
common people have given it the appellation of stag's horn. 
The llowers are produced in close tufts at the end of the branch- 
es, and are succeeded by seeds inclosed in purple, coolly, succu- 
lent covers ; so that the branches are of a beautiful colour in 
autumn. 

This plant resembles in its properties the rhus copallinum and 
glabrum. 

Ribes rubrum. Currant tree. The fruit. 

The fruit of the red, and white currants of our gardens are 
greatly esteemed for their pleasant and nutritive qualities. 

In fevers, the juice of currants, when mixed with an equal quan- 
ity of sugar, and made into a jelly, is cooling and grateful to the 
stomach ; being in a slight degree astringent and antiseptic. 
Currant wine, with the addition of water, is an excellent beverage 
during the heat of summer. Various receipts are given for mak- 
ing this liquor in the Dom. Encyclopedia. 

Ribes nigrum. 

Black Currant is found growing, naturally, near Kennebeck river, 
and it is also cultivated in gardens. 

This fruit is reputed to be very wholesome, and their juice is 
frequently boiled down into an extract or syrup with sugar, in 
which state it is called rob, and much esteemed in sore throats of 
the inflammatory kind. — The fruit is often put into rum or brandy 
instead of black cherries. An infusion of the young roots is 
useful in fevers of the eruptive kind; and in the dysenteric fevers 
of cattle. 

Rosa Gallica. Red Rose. The petals. 

The Gallica, French or common red rose, has large, spreading, 
half double, deep red flowers. It has not the fragrance of the 
damask rose, but the beautiful colour of its petals, and their pleas- 
ant astringency, have rendered them officinal. It must however 
be remarked, that their odour is increased by drying, while that 
of the damask and moss roses is almost destroyed. 

Rosa Dajiascena. Damask Rose. The petals. 

This is justly termed the queen of flowers, and both its elegance 
and fragrance have rendered it the favourite ornament of ereiy 



MATERIA MEDIC A. 455 

garden. It is sometimes called Dutch hundred leaved ro§e. 
The damask rose yields on distillation, a small portion of buty- 
rons oil, together with a water, which possesses the odour mid 
taste of the roses, and are generally esteemed for the agreeable 
flavour they impart to culinary preparations, and also to cordials, 
A valuable perfume is obtained from'the flowers by distillation,, 
called ottar or essence of roses. The true ottar of roses is sold in. 
the East Indies, at the exorbitant price of twenty guineas and 
upwards per ounce. It is doubtless the most elegant perfume m 
vegetable nature ; as a single drop imparts its fragrance through- 
out the room or dwelling, and suppresses other less agreeable 
odours. 

Rumex aquaticus. Water Dock. The root and leaves; 

It grows in peat marshes, wet ditches, pools, at the side of 
rivers, and in shallow water. It flowers in July and August, and 
is succeeded by large seeds. This plant affords a medicine of 
considerable efficacy, when applied externally, as awash for 
spongy, putrid gums ; its roots when pulverize^ have been found 
excellent for cleaning the teeth. These roots are of a bitter, 
astringent taste, and have often been employed for the cure of 
scorbutic and cutaneous disorders, whether administered inter- 
nally, or applied externally in ointments, cataplasms, lotions, or 
fomentations. Decoctions of the leaves are, likewise, an effica- 
cious laxative, and have been taken with advantage in rheumatic 
pains, and chronical diseases occasioned by costiveness, or by 
visceral obstructions. The dose usually given, is a decoction of 
half an ounce of the fresh roots, or from one to two drachms of 
them, in a dry state. 

The Indians, says Dr. Cutler, used the root of water dock with 
great success in cleansing foul ulcers- It is said, they endeav- 
oured to. keep it a secret from the Europeans. 

Dr. Withering says, he saw an ill conditioned ulcer in the 
mouth, which had destroyed the palate, cured by washing the 
mouth with a decoction of this root, and drinking a small quan- 
tity of the same decoction daily. 

Rumex acutus. Narrow Dock. ~) m, root<5 
Rumex crispus. Curled Dock. 3 ? 

These grow about barn yards and in cultivated fields, flowering 
in July. The roots of both species are somewhat cathartic. 
The seeds are said to have been given with advantage in dysen- 
tery. The fresh roots bruised and made into an ointment or 
decoction cure the itch. Some instances have occurred among 
the eountry people, of ill conditioned ulcers, and hard tumors 



456 MATERIA MEDICA. 

apparently of a cancerous nature, having been entirely removed 
by the application of the bruised roots of dock or a decoction of 
the same. 

RuTA grayeolens. Rue. The herb. 

This is a small shrubby plant met with in gardens, where it 
flowers in June and holds its green leaves through the winter. 
It has a strong ungrateful smell, and a bitterish, penetrating taste : 
the leaves when in full vigour, are extremely acrid, insomuch as 
to inflame and blister the skin if much handled. Former writers 
on Materia Medica have entertained a very high opinion of the 
medicinal virtues of this plant, and it is still retained in the Mas- 
sachusetts and other Pharmacopoeias. It has been considered as 
powerfully stimulating, attenuating, and detergent, and hence, in 
cold phlegmatic habits it quickens the circulations, dissolves 
tenacious juices, opens obstructions of the excretory glands, and 
promotes the fluid secretions. Boerhaave is extravagant in his 
praises of the essential oil and distilled water of rue, for their 
efficacy in promoting sweat and perspiration, and for the cure of 
the hysteric passion and of epilepsies, and for expelling poison. 
In modern practice, me is not regarded as possessing much 
power as a remedy. 

Salix alba. White Willow. The bark, and the bark of the 
root. 

The species or varieties of the willow, which have been noticed 
by botanical writers, are very numerous ; and it is probable that 
the bark of all of them possesses properties in many respects 
similar. In 1?63, Mr. Stone, an English clergyman, presented a 
paper to the Royal Society, on the beneficial effects of the salix 
alba, or white willow, in intermittent fevers ; and Dr. Cullen, on 
this authority, and from the sensible qualities it possesses, re- 
commends it, in his Materia Medica, as a substitute for the 
cinchona. Mr. Stone gathered the bark in summer, when it was 
full of sap ; dried it by a gentle heat, and gave a drachm of it 
powdered every four hours, betwixt the fits. In a few obstinate 
cases he mixed it with one-fifth part of the cinchona. Some 
judicious physicians here, says Dr. Cutler, made trial of the bark 
of white willow, and recommended it as a valuable substitute for 
the Peruvian bark. They have used principally the bark of 
the root. 

Salvia C'Ticinalis. Sage. The leaves. 

The leaves of the sage have a peculiar aromatic smell, and a 
worm aromatic taste, with some degree of bitterness and astrirt- 
jenev. 



MATERIA MEDIC A, 457 

•In itseflects, sage agrees with other aromatics. It is stimulant, 
carminative, and tonic. In cold, phlegmatic habits, it ex- 
cites appetite, and proves serviceable in debilities of the ner- 
vous system. The best preparation for these purposes, is an 
infusion of the dry leaves, drank as tea ; or a tincture, or extract, 
made with rectified spirit, taken in proper doses ; these contain 
the whole virtues of the sage ; the distilled water and essential, 
oil, only its warmth and aromatic quality, without any of its 
roughness or bitterness. 

Aqueous infusions of the leaves, with the addition of a little 
lemon juice, prove an useful diluting drink in febrile disorders, 
feeing sufficiently agreeable to the palate. 

SlLENE VIRGINICA. 

The Silene Virginica, or Ground-Pink, as it is called in some 
parts of our country, is another native anthelmintic. A decoc- 
tion of the root is used, and is said to have been found a very 
efficacious remedy*. 

Scutellaria lateriflora. Blue Scull-cap. Hooded Willow 
Herb. The plant. 

The Scutellaria is perennial, of. which there are numerous 
species indigenous to the United States. The plant is found in 
great abundance on the banks of rivers and the borders of 
ponds ; flowering in July or August. The stem is square, 
branched, and attains the height of from one to three feet. The 
leaves are opposite, narrow pointed, on long foot stalks. The 
racemes are axillary and latent, bearing small violet coloured 
blossoms, intermixed with small leaves. The calyx is hooded, 
or helmet-formed, from whence originated the generic name of 
Scuil-cap or Scutellaria. It is now introduced here on account 
of its recently reputed efficacy as an antidote against the effects 
of canine madness. Should this plant ultimately prove a success- 
ful remedy for a disease so truly deplorable in its nature, and. 
destructive in its consequences, no encomflims can surpass its 
merits even if recorded in letters of gold. The remedy was tor 
many years a secret, in the possession^ a family by the name 
of Lewis, in West Chester county, and 'in 1809 it was promulga- 
ted by Mr. R. Bovvne, of New York. To the publication of Mr. 
B. [Med. Repos. Hexade 3. Vol. 2. No. 3.] was annexed an ac- 

* From the information of my friend, the late learned Dr. James Green- 
way, of Virginia. — This species of Silene, or Catch-fly, grows abundantly 
in many parts of the United States, as in Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. &c. 
Some of our Indians have told me, that it is a poisonous plant. This is 
highly probable, if it be a fact, that it is a very efficacious anthelmintic. 

m 



458 MATERIA MEDiCA. 

curate engraving of this species of Scutellaria, yet in his descrip 
tion he erroneously attached to it a specific name belonging to 1 
a different species, the Scutellaria Galericulata. This last spe- 
cies is to be distinguished by its axillaiy flowers in pairs, on pe- 
dicles from the ake of the leaves, and pendulous. 

With regard to the anti-rabid virtues of Scutellaria, it is to be 
observed, that subsequent to its promulgation, it has been in- 
vestigated and tested by practical experiment, so far as oppor- 
tunity and the nature of the subject permit. A mass of evi- 
dence in favour of its efficacy may be found in a production 
entitled " Observations on Hydrophobia," lately published by the 
compiler of this work. As, however, it is still doubtful, and yet 
desirable to have the fact clearly ascertained how far this plant 
is entitled to the character of a specific preventive of hydro- 
phobia, every human person must consider himself warranted 
in resorting: to the use of it on any occasion which may offer, 
either of alleviating the misery and distress of mankind, or of 
arresting the devastation among the brute creation. 

This remedy is to be given in the form of strong infusion of 
the leaves every morning, fasting, and to be continued for sev- 
eral weeks. For cattle it may be mixed with their food oir 
drink. 



Sixapis ajlea» White Mustard. 

Sixapis nigra. Black or common Mustard. 



The root. 



These plants are both annual, both grow wild in England, and 
possess similar virtues. They produce small round compressed 
seeds, which have an acrid bitterish taste, and a pungent smell 
when reduced to powder. The common mustard has blackish 
seeds, and is more pungent than the white. They impart their 
taste and smell in perfection to aqueous liquors, while rectified 
spirit extracts extremely little of either. The whole of the 
pungency arises with water in distillation. Committed to the 
press, they yield a considerable quantity of a soft insipid oil, 
perfectly void of acrimony ; the cake left after the expression, 
is more pungent thaft the mustard itself. 

The imported mustard^ so common at tallies, and which is 
generally preferred to our^jwn, is the pulverized seed of the black 
species ; the difference insists only in the preparation of the 
powder. 

The seeds unbruised are frequently given in palsies and chro- 
nic rheumatisms, and are found beneficial. They may be tak- 
en in the quantity of a table spoonful or more, and will gently 
relax the bowels. Rheumatic pains in the stomach are often 
relieved by taking them in brandy. The powdered seeds, with 
crumbs of bread and vinegar, are made into cataplasms, and 
applied to the soles of the feet in £e\cvr>. when stimulants are 



MATERIA MEDICA. 459 

wecessajfy. They are also topically applied in fixed rheumatic 
and sciatic pains. Dr. Withering says, wherever we want a 
strong stimulus, that acts upon the nervous system without ex- 
citing much heat, we know none preferable to the mustard seed. 
An infusion of the seed, given in large quantities, vomits ; but in 
smaller doses, operates as an aperient and diuretic. Mustard 
whey, with wine, is used as a drink in fevers. Its acrimony is 
said to consist in an essential oil. 

Mustard whey is made by boiling one and half ounce of the 
bruised seeds in a pint of milk, and as much water, till the curd 
be perfectly separated. This is perhaps the most elegant form 
in which mustard can be exhibited. A little sugar may be ad- 
ded, and an ordinary tea-cupful given four or five times a day 
in cases of low nervous fever, greatly warms and invigorates 
the habit, and promotes the different secretions. 

Solanum dulcamara. Bitter Sweet. Woody Night Shade. The 
twigs. 

This plant grows wild in moist hedges ; has wood)^, brittle 
stalks, and climbs on the bushes. But if there be no shrubs in 
their vicinity, the shoots creep along the ground, and frequently 
strike new roots. It flowers in the months of June and July. — 
The taste of the twigs and roots, as the name of the plant ex- 
presses it, is both bitter and sweet ; the bitterness being first 
perceived, and the sweetness afterwards. 

The dulcamara was formerly much esteemed as a powerful 
medicine. It is generally said to occasion some considerable 
evacuation by sweat, urine, or stool, particularly the latter. It 
has been recommended as a discutient and resolvent medicine ; 
and it has been said to have been attended with good effects 
in obstinate cutaneous diseases of the herpetic kind. It has 
also been used, and sometimes with advantage, in cases of rheu- 
matism, jaundice, and obstructed menstruation. 
i The twigs are principally employed under the form of wate- 
ry infusion, in doses of two teacupsful, morning and evening. 
Dr. Hill has found it very efficacious in the asthma. 

SophorA Tinctoria. Linn. ~) Wild Indigo. Indigo Weed*- 
Podalyria Tinctoria. Mick. 5 The root and plant. 

This vegetable is indigenous, and supposed to be exclusive^ 
American. It is perennial, growing in great abundance in al- 
most every barren pasture and in woods. The stalk rises to 
two feet or more, sending off numerous branches. The leaves 
are small, ternate, inversely heart shaped, and sessile. Iu July 
.and August all its branches display, butterfly shaped, golden 



460 MATERIA MEDICA. 

coloured blossoms, which render the plant very conspicuous. — 
The seed vessels are inflated, containing numerous seeds. The 
root is ligneous, rough, and irregular in shape, of a dark brown 
colour externally, and sending off many long slender branches. 
Its taste is unpleasant, subacrid, and nauseous, very similar to 
that of ipecacuanha. I he pnrticular medical properties of indigo 
weed are yet to be ascertained ; that it possesses great activity 
is unquestionably true; those who in the spring season have 
made the young shoots a substitute for asparagus experienced 
its drastic evacuating powers. In the hands of some physicians 
it is found to operate in a laige dose, with much severity as an 
emetic and cathartic. But a weak decoction of the root has 
frequently been given with the effect only of a mild laxative. — 
A decoction of the bark of the root has, it is said, been made 
known by an empiric experienced in its use, as a remedy in 
scarlatina anginosa, and its employment has been extended in a 
few instances to typhus or putrid i'e\er with such good effect as 
to encourage farther trials. An experienced physician considers 
it as an excellent antiseptic and febrifuge, preferring it in some 
fevers to Peruvian bark. As an external application, its anti- 
septic qualities ought to be more extensively known. In the 
form of fomentation or cataplasm, it has proved eminently hene- 
f/cial when applied to phagedenic and gangrenous ulcers, espe- 
cially if the decoction be administered internally at the same 
time. 

A liniment prepared by simmering the cortical part of the root 
in cream, has been found an efficacious application to sore 
nipples and ulcerated breasts. A violet or pale blue colour has 
been prepared from the leaves and small branches of this plant 
and used as a substitute for indigo. The leaves turn black when 
dried. 

Spigelia Marilandica. Carolina Pink. The root. 

This plant is perennial, and grows wild in most of our south- 
ern states. The roots are celebrated as an anthelmintic, par- 
ticularly for the expulsion of lumbrici from the alimentary ca- 
nal. Every part is possessed of the anthelmintic property, 
though the root is most active. It is commonly administered 
in the form of infusion ; an emetic is generally premised, and 
its purgative effect assisted by some suitable addition, as senna 
or jalap. By some the powdered root is directed in doses of 
ten or fifteen grains ; while others prescribe it in drachm doses. 
But it should be observed that according to the late Dr. Lining, 
of Charleston, when exhibited in large doses, and without prop- 
er precautions, it sometimes produces very singular and dis- 
tressing effects upon the nervous system, such as vertigo, pains 



MATERIA MEDIGA. 461 

over the eyes, and dilated pupil. As a vermifuge, spigelia has 
acquired a superior confidence, and it often *ftbrds relief and 
effects a cure, in cases where no worms are discharged. It is 
supposed by Dr. Barton, that it will be found highly useful in 
some febrile diseases of children, unaccompanied by worms, es- 
pecially in the insidious remittent which so frequently lays the 
foundation of dropsy of the brain. 

Spik^ia TKiFOLiATA, Indian Physic. Ipecacuan, Sfc. The root. 

This shrub grows plentifully in the United States, and is one 
of the few active plants of the class icosandria. The root, the 
part employed, consists; like that of the officinal Ipecacuan of 
a bark, and woody part. The active power seems to reside ex- 
clusively m the bark. It is a safe and efficacious emetic in do- 
ses of about thirty grains. It also seems to possess a tonic pow- 
er, and has accordingly been thought peculiarly beneficial in 
intermittent fevers. It is sometimes very injudiciously employ- 
ed by the country people, insomuch that they are obliged to 
apply for medical aid, to remove the debility induced by the 
large doses of the root which they employ. Another species, it 
is said, grows in Kentucky, which is still more valuable as an 
emetic, than the one under notice. 

Statice Limonium. Marsh Rosemary. Lavender Thrift. See 
Lavender. The root. 

This is well known in the New England States. It is indir 
genous and perennial, growing on the sea shore, in salt marsh- 
es ; and the fissures or clifts of rocks near the sea coast : it is 
in flower from July to September. The stem is naked, branched, 
and about a foot high. The radical leaves are long, pointed, 
and grow on foot stalks. The flowers are blue, and grow on 
long spikes on the tops of the branches. The roots of this 
plant are powerfully astringent. A decoction of them is given 
and used as a gargle with success in cankers and ulcerated sore 
throats. We learn from an authentic source, that the late Dr. 
Hews, of Providence, held the root of this plant in high estima- 
tion in cases of aphthous states of fever accompanying dysente- 
ry, ulcerous sore throats, or scarlatina anginosa. He valued it 
as the greatest antiseptic he was acquainted with, and said he 
could administer it in cases where the bark was inadmissible. 

Dr. William Baylies, of Dighton, in a communication to the 
Massachusetts Medical Society, makes favourable mention of 
this root from his experience in the ulcerated sore throat, as 
it appeared in that town in 1785 and 17S6. This in a large 
dose operates as a vomit ; in a smaller, proves ^powerful ex- 



MATERIA MEDICA. 

peetorawl ; and from its sensible qualities, one would suppose it 
to possess considerable antiseptic powers. I am well assured it 
was the basis of a medicine used by a physician in Providence, 
With very jrreat success in this complaint. It is undoubtedly of 
great efficacy, and deserves a more thorough investigation." 

Tanacetcm vulgare. Common Tansy. The leaves and 
seeds. 

Tansy is an idigenous perennial growing by road sides and 
the borders of fields, and is also cultivated in gardens. Its yel- 
low blossoms appear in August. This plant possesses a warm 
bitter taste ; it is deobstruent, not ungrateful to the palate, and 
some have had a favourable opinion of it in hysteric disorders. 
The leaves and seeds have been of considerable esteem as an- 
thelmintics, and are given in doses of from one scruple to one 
drachm. The leaves are frequently used to give colour and fla- 
vour to pudding. And if fresh meat be rubbed with the plant, 
it will be effectually preserved from the attacks of the flesh fly, 

Triosteum peefoliatum. 

Among the moFe mild, I may mention the Triosteum perfo- 
liatum, sometimes called Bastard-Ipecacuanha. This, when giv- 
en in very large doses, sometimes proves emetic ; hence the 
vulgar name. But I find it a good cathartic. Cortex, or bark, 
of the root is employed. I give it in doses of twenty and thirty 
grains. On some occasions, it has seemed to operate as a diu- 
retic. But this may have been only an accidental circumstance. 
Rhubarb sometimes produces the same effect, as has been ob- 
served by C. Pi so. 

Tussilago Farfara. Coltsfoot. The leaves and flowers. 

This grows wild in moist situations, producing yellow flowers 
in February and March : these soon fall off, and are succeeded 
by large, roundish leaves, hairy underneath ; their taste is her- 
baceous, somewhat glutinous and subacrid. It is recommended 
in coughs, phthisis, and other disorders of the breast and lungs, 
and some use it in scrofula. It is chiefly directed to be taken 
with milk, and upon this, probably, more than on the tussilago 
itself, any benefit derived from it in practice is to be explained. 

Ulmus pulva. American Elm. The inner bark. 

It rises to the height of thirty feet, with a pretty strong trunk, 
dividing into many branches, and covered with a light coloiraed 



MATERIA MEDICA. 45$ 

tough bark. The leaves are oblong, oval, and sharp pointed, 
unequally sawed on their edges, unequal at the base, very rough 
on their upper surface, and hairy underneath. The flowers are 
produced thick upon the branches, upon short, collected foot 
Stalks, and are succeeded by oval, compressed membraneous: 
Seed vessels, with entire margins, containing one oval compres- 
sed seed. The inner bark by infusion or gentle boiling in water 
affords a great quantity of insipid mucous substance, that is ap- 
plicable to a variety of important uses. Dr. Mitchell says it 
has been beneficially administered in catarrhs, pleurisies, and 
quinsies 5 it has been applied as a poultice to tumours, and as a 
liniment to chops and festers. [Letter to Dr. North, Amer. 
Museum, vol. 7th.] 

The surgeons of our revolutionary army, and also those of 
general Wayne's army, who defeated the Indians in August 1794, 
experienced the most happy effects from the application of 
poultices of the elm bark to gun shot wounds, which were soon 
brought to a good suppuration, and to a disposition to heal. It 
was applied as the first remedy. When tendency to mortifica- 
tion was evident, this bark bruised, and boiled in water, produ- 
ced the most suprising good effects. After repeated compara- 
tive experiments with other emollient applications, as milk and 
bread, and linseed poultice, its superiority was firmly established. 
In old ill-conditioned ulcers, and in fresh burns, equal benefit was 
derived from it. The infusion of the bark was used with ad- 
vantage as a diet drink, in pleurisy, and catarrh, and also in 
diarrhoea and dysentery. Many of the above facts relative to 
the medicinal qualities of the red elm, were communicated, says 
the editor of the Domestic Encyclopaedia, by Dr. Joseph Strong, 
©f Philadelphia, who served as surgeon in the western army - 
and adds, as a proof of the nutriment which it affords, that a sol- 
dier who lost his way supported himself for ten days upon this 
mucilage and sassafras. The editor of the above mentioned 
work, (vol. 2d, p. 448) proceeds to observe, that the red elm 
tree may be considered as a highly valuable addition to our 
stock of medicines, exclusively American, and ought to be care- 
fully searched for by the medical gentlemen in the country, and 
preserved from the indiscriminate axe. 

The inner bark of the slippery elm, or its mucilage, has bee» 
found by recent experience to be singularly beneficial when 
applied to chilblains, cutaneous eruptions, and various kinds of 
sores and ulcers ; and there is much reason to believe, that its in- 
ternal use in dysentery, consumption, &c. may be attended with, 
greater advantage than is generally imagined. This tree cer-~ 
fctinly may be recommended to the particular regard of medical 
practitioners as a new, and domestic article of our Materia 
Medica, whose medicinal virtues, will probably be, found to merit 
a large share of confidence.- - 



464 MATERIA MEDICA. 

Urtica dioica. Common Nettle. The plant. 

This is a well known perennial weed. The leaves of the fresh 
plant stimulate, inflame, and raise blisters on the part of the 
skin which they touch. Hence, when a powerful rubefacient is 
required, stinging with nettles has been recommended. It has 
been said, sometimes to have succeeded in restoring sense and 
motion to paralytic limbs. M. Zannetini, in Italy, asserts, that 
the flowers and seeds of the common nettle, may, with efficacy 
be substituted for the Peruvian bark, in all febrile affections, es- 
pecially in tertian and quartan agues. I operates more speedi- 
ly than the bark ; and in large doses, induces a lethargic sleep , 
the portion to be given should never exceed one drachm, and 
should be administered in wine, two or three times in twenty- 
fcur hours. The same cautions thst are necessary in the use of 
Peruvian bark, are likewise to be observed in taking the seeds 
and flowers of the nettle. 

Viola odorata. March Violet. The recent flower. 

This plant is perennial, and found wild under hedges, and in 
shady places ; but shops are generally supplied from gardens. 
Its flowers are so remarkable for their delightful odour, and their 
peculiar richness of colour, that they have given a name to 
both. 

They impart their colour and flavour to aqueous liquors ; a 
syrup made by this infusion has long maintained a place in the 
shops, and is said to be an agreeable and useful laxative for 
children ; but is chiefly valued as a delicate test of the presence 
of uncombined acids or alkalies, the former changing its blue to 
a red, and the latter to a green colour. 

Veratrum viride. 

A species of Veratrum, or Helonias, nearly allied to the Vera- 
trum album of the old continent, is a pretty common plant in 
many parts of the United States, and seems to possess the same 
sternutative and other active properties, that the foreign plant 
does. The American plant, to which I allude, is the Veratrum 
viride of Aiton ; the Helonias viridis of some later botanists. 



COMPLETE TREATISE ON THE ART 

/' 
* op / 

FARRIERY, 

WHEREIN ARE FULLY EXPLAINED 

THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OP THAT USEFUL CREATURE, A HORSE ! 

WITH THE DISEASES AND ACCIDENT^ HE IS LIABLE TO $ 

AND THE METHODS OP CURE. 

LIKEWISE, 

RULES FOR BREEDING AND TRAINING OP COLTS : PRACTICAL 

RECEIPTS FOR THE CURE OP COMMON DISTEMPERS 

INCIDENT Td OXEN, COWS, CALVES, SHEEP, 

LAMBS, HOGS, &C. 

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED 
TEN MINUTES ADVICE TO THE PURCHASERS OF 

HORSES. 



NEW-HAVEN: 
PUBLISHED BY NATHAN WHITING. 



1816. 

SETH ItlCHARDS, PRINTER MinDWTOTfT; 



PREFACE. 



THE following Treatise was compiled with intent to guard 
the unwary from deception in the purchase, as well as to refresh 
the memory of gentlemen better acquainted with the requisite 
qualifications, of that noble animal the Horse. 

The remarks are drawn from long, and, in some instances, 
dear-bought experience, in the snares which jockies and grooms 
in general lay before those who are under the necessity of deal- 
ing with them. 

Having premised thus much, it may not be thought improper, 
by way of introduction, to observe, 

That a large shin bone, that is long from the knee to the 
pastern, in a foal shews a tall horse. 

Double the space in a foal, newly foaled, betwixt his knee and 
withers, will in general, be the height of him when a complete 
horse. 

Foals that are of stirring spirits, wanton of disposition, active 
in leaping, running, and chasing, ever leading the way, and 
striving for mastery, always prove horses of excellent mettle : 
and those of the contrary disposition most commonly jades. 

Before I enter on my particular observations, it may not be 
unnecessary to give one general rule, which experience has 
proved to me a good one, that is, no foot, no horse. 

A horse's ability, and continuance in goodness, is known by 
his hoofs. 



jv PREFACE. 

If they are strong, smooth, hard, deep, tough, upright, and 
hollow, that horse cannot be a very bad one ; for they are the 
foundation of his building, and give a fortitude to all the rest j 
and if otherwise, he cannot be remarkably good or lasting. 

Without further preface, I shall therefore proceed to the fol- 
lowing particular remarks and observations. 



TAPLIN IMPROVED, 



ADVICE TO THE PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 



Nothing is more true than the common observation, that in 
the art of horsemanship, the most difficult part is that of giving 
proper directions for the purchasing a horse free of fault and 
blemish. The deceptions in this branch of traffic being looked 
on in a less fraudulent light* than they seem to deserve, and M 
consequence are more frequently practised. It shall, therefore 
be my business in the following brief remarks, to shew, in the 
best manner I am able, the imperfections which, from either na- 
ture or mischance, every horse is liable to. 

In the Stable.] See the horse you are about to purchase in 
the stable, without any person being in the stall with him ; and 
if he has any complaint in his legs he will soon show it, by altering 
the situation of them, taking up one and setting down the other : 
and this denotes his being foundered or overworked. 

On ordering him out let no one be the last in the stable but 
yourself ; you should also, if possible, be the first in, lest the 
owner, or some of his quick emissaries, take an opportunity to 
fig him ; a practice common .among dealers, in order to make 
the tail shew as if carried very high, when, in reality, the day 
after, he will in appearance be five pounds worse. 

The Eyes.] This is the proper time to examine his eyes, 
which may be done in a dark stable with a candle, or rather in 
the day time when he is led from the stall ; cause the man who 
leads him to stop at the stable door just as his head peeps out, and 
all his body is still within. If the white of the eye appears red- 
dish at the bottom, or of a colour like a withered leaf, I would 
not advise you to purchase him. A moon-eyed horse is known 
by his weeping and keeping his eyes almost shut at the begin- 
ning of the distemper : as the moon changes, he gradually re- 
cpvers his sight, and in a fortnight or three weeks sees as well 



6 ADVICE TO THE 

as before he had the disorder. Dealers, when they have Such a 
horse to sell, at the time of his weeping, always tell you that 
he has got a bit of straw or hay in his eye, or that he has re- 
ceived some blow ; they also take care to wipe away the hu- 
mour, to prevent its being seen ; but a man should trust only 
himself in buying of horses, and above all be- very exact in ex- 
amining the eyes: in this he must have regard to time and 
place where he makes the examination. Bad eyes may appear 
good in winter, when snow is upon the ground ; and often good 
ones appear bad, according to the position of the horse. Nev- 
er examine a horse's eyes by the side of a white wall, where 
the dealers always choose to shew one that is moon-eyed. 

The moon-eyed horse has always one eye bigger than the 
other, and above his lids you may generally discover wrinkles 
or circles. 

If you observe a fleshy excrescence that proceeds from the 
corner of the eye, and covers a part of the pupil, and is in 
shape almost like the beard of an oyster, though seemingly a 
matter of no great consequence, yet it is what I call a Witlow 
in the eye, and if suffered to grow, it draws away apart of the 
nourishment of the eye, and sometimes occasions a total pri- 
vation of sight. On the contraiy, if the eyes are round, big, 
black, and shining ; if the black of the eye fill the pit, or out- 
ward circumference, so that in moving very little of the white 
appeareth, they are signs of goodness and mettle. The eye 
which in general is esteemed the best, is that which is neither 
small nor large ; but be sure to observe that the chrystaline be 
thoroughly transparent, for without that, no kind of eye can be 
said to be good. 

CoimtenwiceJ] After having carefully satisfied yourself as to 
his eyes, let him be brought out, and have him stand naked be- 
fore you 5 then take a strict view of his countenance ; particu- 
larly with regard to the cheerfulness of it, this being an excel- 
lent glass to observe his goodness and best perfections. Be 
careful you are not deceived by the marks in his face, as fre- 
quently a good looking star is made of cat's skin. If his ears 
be small, sharp, short, pricked, and moving ; or if they are long 
but yet well set on, and well carried, it is a mark of goodness ; if 
they are thick, laved, or lolling, wide set, and unmoving, they 
are signs of dulness, and of an evil nature. 

A lean forehead, swelling outward, the mark or feather hi his 
face set high, with a white star or catch of an indifferent size, 
and even placed, or a white snip on the nose or lip, they are all 
marks of beauty and goodness : on the contrary, a fat, cloudy 
or frowning countenance, the mark in his face standing low, as 
under his eyes, if liis star or ratch stand awry, and instead of a 
snip his nose be raw and unhairy, or his face generally haktj 
they are signs of deformity. 



PURCHASERS OP HORSES. ? 

Strangles.'] Handle his cheeks, or chaps, and if you find the 
'frones lean and thin, the space wide between thein, the tlirap- 
ple or wind-pipe big as you can gripe, and the void place without 
knots or kernels, and the jaws so great that the neck seemeth 
to couch within them, they are all signs of great wind, courage, 
soundness of head and body: on the contrary, if the chaps are 
fat and thick, the space between them closed up with gross sub- 
stance, and the thrapple little, they are signs of short wind and 
much inward foulness. Should the void place be full of knots 
and kernels, beware of the strangles or glanders, the former of 
which may be easily discovered by a swelling between the two 
nether jawbones, which discharges a white matter. This disor- 
der usually appears about three, four, or five years old ; there 
.is no young horse but what is subject to it, either perfectly or 
imperfectly ; there is also a disorder which is called the Bas- 
tard strangles, which appears, sometimes like, and sometimes 
different, from the true strangles. The bastard strangles are 
what proves the horse has not thrown off his true strangles but 
that some foul humours are still left behind ; this disorder may 
come at four, five, six, or even seven years of age. A continual 
langour at work, and seemingly perpetually weary, without any 
visible ailment, is a certain sign that he is not clear of this dis* 
order, which sometimes will affect the foot, the leg, the ham, the 
haunch, the shoulder, the breast, or the eye, and without care 
in this latter case, may corrupt the pupil of the eye, as the 
small pox does in men. 

Morfoundering.] There is also another disorder, much like 
the strangles, which is called Morfoundering, and appears by a. 
running at the nose, but the swelling under the jaw is less. 

Glanders.] The glanders are discovered by a running at the 
nose, either on the one side or the other ; feel if he has any 
flat glands fastened to the nether jaw, which give him pain 
when you press them ; and remember that a running at one 
nostril is worse than at both. 

Fives.] When the jaws are strait, so that the neck swelleth 
above them, it is a sign of short wind ; but if the swelling be 
long, and close by his chaps, like a whetstone, then be sure he 
has the vives, which is a distemper most frequent in high moun- 
tainous countries, especially to horses that are not used to the 
crudities produced in the stomach by the spring and fountain 
waters that rise in hilly grounds: standing waters, or those of 
very little current, are the least dangerous, and seldom causes 
the vives ;. but very deep wells are bad. 

Nostrils.] If his nostrils be open, dry, wide, and large, so as 
upon any strakring the inward redness is discovered ; if his muz- 
jzle be small, his mouth deep, and his lips equally meeting, they 
a*re signs of health and wind: but should his nostrils be 



S ADVICE TO THE 

straight, his wind is then little. Should you find the muzzle to 
be gross, his spirit will be dull. 

If his mouth be shallow, lie will never carry the bit well : 
and if his upper will not reach his under lip, old age and infirmi- 
ty mark him for carrion. 

Age.'] Respecting the age of a horse that is fit for work, he 
should have forty teeth : twenty-four grinders, which teach us 
nothing ; and sixteen others, which have their names, and dis- 
cover his age. As mares usually have no tusks, their teeth are 
only thirty-six. A colt is foaled without teeth. In a few days 
he puts out four, which are called pincers, or nippers ; soon af- 
ter appear the four separators : next to the pincers, it is some- 
times three or four months before the next, called Corner-teeth, 
push forth. These twelve colt's teeth, in the front of the mouth, 
continue, without alteration, till the colt is two years, or two 
years and a half old, which makes it difficult, without great care, 
to avoid being imposed on during that interval, if the seller finds 
it is his interest to make the colt pass for either younger or old- 
er than he really is ; the only rule you have then to judge by 
is his coat, and the hairs of his main and tail. A colt of one 
year has a supple, rough coat, resembling that of a water span- 
iel, and the hair of his mane and tail feels like flax, and hangs 
like a rope untwisted ; whereas a colt of two years has a flat 
coat, and straight hairs, like a grown horse. 

At about two years and a half old, sometimes sooner, some- 
times later, according as he has been fed, a horse begins to 
change his teeth. The pincers, which come the first, are also 
the first that fall ; so that at three years he has four horse's and 
eight colt's teeth, which are easily known apart ; the former be- 
ing larger, flatter, and yellower than the others, and streaked 
from the end quite into the gums. 

The four horse pincers have, in the middle of their extremi- 
ties, a black hole, very deep ; whereas those of the colt are 
round and white. When the horse is coming four years old, he 
loses his four separators, or middle teeth, and puts forth four 
others, which follow the same rule as the pincers. He has now 
eight horse's teeth and four colt's. At five years old he sheds 
the four corner, which are his last colt's teeth, and is called a 
horse. 

During this year also, his four tusks (which are chiefly pe- 
culiar to^ horses) come behind the others ; the lower ones of- 
ten four 'months before the upper ; but whatever may be vul- 
garly thought, ahorse that has the two lower tusks, if he has 
not the upper, may be judged to be under five years old, unless 
the other teeth shew the contrary ; for some horses that live' to 
be very old never have any upper tusks at all. The two low- 
rr tusk- are one of the most certain rules that a horse is com- 



PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 9 

ing five years old, notwithstanding his colt's teeth may not be 
all gone. 

Jockies and breeders, in order to make their colts seem five 
years old when they are but four, pull out their last colt's teeth ; 
but if all the colt's teeth are gone, and no tusks appear, you 
may be certain this trick has been played ; another artifice 
they use, is to beat the bars every day with a wooden mallet in 
the place where the tusks are to appear, in order to make them 
seem hard, as if the tusks were just ready to cut. 

When a horse is coming six years old, the two lower pincers 
fill up, and instead of the holes above mentioned, shew only a 
black spot. Betwixt six and seven the two middle teeth fill up 
in the same manner ; and between seven and eight the corner 
teeth do the like ; after which it is said to be impossible to know 
certainly the age of a horse, he having no longer any mark in 
the mouth. 

You can indeed only have recourse to the tusks, and the situa- 
tion of the teeth, of which I shall now speak. 

For the tusks you must with your finger feel the inside of 
them from the point quite to the gum. If the trunk be pointed 
flat, aud has two little channels within side, you may be certain 
the horse is not old, and at the utmost only coming ten. Be- 
tween eleven and twelve the two channels are reduced to one, 
which after twelve is quite gone, and the tusks are as round 
within as they are without ; you have no guide then but the situa- 
tion of the teeth. The longest teeth are not always the sign of 
the greatest age, but their hanging over and pushing forward j 
as their meeting perpendicularly is a certain token of youth. 

Many persons, whilst they see certain little holes in the mid- 
dle of the teeth, imagine that such horses are but in their sev- 
enth year, without regard to the situation the teeth take as they 
grow old. 

When horses are young, their teeth meet perpendicularly, 
but grow longer and push forward with age ; besides, the mouth 
of a young horse is very fleshy within the palate, and his lips 
are firm and hard : on the contrary, the inside of an old horse's 
mouth is lean both above and below, and seems to have only the 
skin upon the bones. The lips are soft and easy to turn up 
with the hand. 

All horses are marked in the same manner, but some natur- 
ally, and others artificially. The natural mark is called Begne ; 
and some ignorant persons imagine such horses are marked all 
their lives, because for many years they find a little hole, or a 
kind of void in the middle of the separators and corner teeth* 
but when the tusks are grown round, as well within as without^ 
and the teeth point forward, there is room to conjecture in pro- 1 ^ 
portion as they advance from year to year, what the horse's 
age may be, without regarding the cavity above mentioned. 
3 



0,0 ADVICE TO THE 

The artificial manner is made use of by dealers and joekies, 
who mark their horses after the age of being known, to make 
them appear only six or seven years old. They do it in this 
manner : They throw down the horse to have hiin more at com- 
mand, and with a steel graver, like what is used for ivory, hol- 
low the middle teeth a little, and the corner ones some what 
more 5 then fill the holes with a little rosin, pitch, sulphur, or 
some grains of wheat, which they burn in with a bit of hot wire, 
made in proportion to the hole. This operation they repeat 
from time to time, till they give the whole a lasting black, in 
imitation of nature ; but in spite of all they can do, the hot iron 
makes a little yellowish circle round these holes, like what it 
would leave upon ivory ; they have therefore another trick to 
prevent detection, which is to make the horse foam from time 
to time, after having rubbed his mouth, lips and gums with salt, 
and the crumbs of bread dried and powdered with salt. This 
foam hides the circle made by the iron. 

Another thing they cannot do, is to counterfeit young tusks, 
it being out of their power to make those two crannies above 
mentioned, which are given by nature : with files they may 
make them sharper or Hatter, but then they take away the 
shining natural enamel, so that one may always know, by these 
tusks, horses that are past seven, till they come to twelve or 
thirteen. As the defects of the mouth may destroy a horse 
without any distemper, I shall here just describe the barbs, the 
lampas, giggs upon the lips, and gagg-teeth. 

Barbs?] For the barbs, look under his tongue, and see if lie 
has not two fleshy excrescences on the under palate, like little 
bladders. It seems to be a mere trifle, but these however will 
hinder a horse from drinking as usual ; and if he does not drink 
freely, he eats the less, and languishes from day to day, perhaps 
without any one's taking notice of it. 

Lampas.] The lampas is known by opening the horse's 
mouth, and looking at his upper palate, to see if the flesh comes 
down below the inner teeth : this gives him pain in eating his 
oats, and even his hay, when it is too harsh : though he can 
very well manage bran, grass or kind hay. 

Giggs upon the lips.] When you have looked in the horse's 
mouth, without finding eiilu-r of the two disorders above, turn 
up his lips both upper and under, and perhaps you may find 
several small elevations, like little white blisters, which make 
the inside of the lips uneven. This defect may be felt with the 
finger, and is, what hinders horses from eating as usual ; and 
that is what is called giggs upon the lips. 

Gaggrteeth is a defect that rarely happens to young horgas, 
and is to be discovered by putting the colt's foot into the mouth, 
<iad looking at the large grinders, which in this case appear un- 



PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 11 

sequal, and in eating catch hold of the inside of the cheeks, 
causing great pain, and making them refuge their food. 

His breast.'] From his head look down to his breast, and 
see that it be broad, outswelling, and adorned with many fea- 
tures, for this shews strength : the little or small breast, shews 
weakness, as a horse with a narrow one is apt to stumble. 

The Anticor or Anticow.] Put your hand betwixt his fore legs., 
-and feel if he has a swelling there from the sheath quite up be- 
tween the fore legs ; such a swelling is called the anticor or 
anticow, and is mortal to horses if they are not soon relieved. 
It proceeds from different causes, viz. the remains of an old dis- 
temper which was never perfectly cured, or after which the 
horse was too soon put to labor, from too much heat, contract- 
ed in the stable, by being kept up a long time without airing, or 
from having lost too large a quantity of blood in what part so- 
ever the vein was opened. When you touch a swelling of this 
kind, the impressions of the fingers remain for some time, as if 
you had made them in a bit of puff paste, filling up again by de- 
grees, as the paste woidd rise. — This swelling contains bloody 
water, that insinuates between the flesh and the skin, and proves 
that all the blood in the veins is corrupted. 

His thighs and legs.] From thence look down his elbow to 
his knee, and see that the fore thighs be rush grown, well horn- 
ed within, sinewed, fleshy, and out-swelling, those being signs of 
strength, as the contrary are of weakness. If his knees bear a 
proportion to each other, be lean, sinewy, and close knit, they 
are good ; but if one is bigger or rounder than the other, the 
horse has received mischief ; if they are gross, he is gouty ; and 
if he has scars, or the hair be broken, beware of a stumbling 
jade, and perpetual faller. 

Splents.] From his knees look down his legs to his pasterns, 
and if you find them clean, lean, flat, sinewy, and the inward 
bought of his knee without seams, or hair broken, it shews a 
good shape and soundness ; but if on the inside of the leg you 
find hard knots, they are splents, of which there are three sorts. 
The simple splent, which appears within the leg under the knee, 
remote from the great nerve and the joint of the knee, ought not 
to hinder a man from buying a good horse, for it gives him no 
pain, is only disagreeable to the sight, and goes away in time 
of itself. All the three sorts of splents are known by the same 
rule ; for whenever you see a tumor upon the flat of the leg, 
whether within or without, if it be under the knee, and appears 
hard to the touch, it is a splent ; and when it is situated as above 
described, it signifies nothing ; but when it comes upon the joint 
of the knee, without any interval, it looses the name of splent 
and may be called a fusee ; it then, as one may easily conceive, 
makes the leg of a horse stiff, and hinders him from bending his 
knee ; consequently it obliges him to stumble, and even fall, and 



1U ADVICE TO THE 

after a violent exercise makes him lame. Rest alone cures the 
lameness, but not the fusee. 

The third kind of splent, whether within or without, is when 
you feel it between the nerve and the bone, and sometimes 
even at the end of the nerve ; this is called a nervous splent, 
and is the worst of all the kinds ; besides that, the horse is never 
here so firm footed, but that he limps at every little degree of 
labour. The French reject every horse that has a splent, very 
often without knowing how to distinguish them; and one that 
has only a simple splent, is as bad in their eyes as one that has 
the other sort ; but a simple splent always goes away of itself 
by the time a horse is eight or nine years old. 

Osselets.] There are also three kinds of osselets, which are of 
the same nature as splents, and some persons take them for 
the same thing ; but there is this difference, however, between 
them, that splents come near the knees, and osselets near the 
fetlocks. Their seat is indifferently within or without the leg. 

The first is the simple osselet, which does not grow near the 
joint or the fetlock on the nerve. 

This need not hinder any man from buying a good horse, 
because it puts him to no inconvenience, and very often goes 
away of itself without a remedy. The second is that which de- 
scends into the fetlock, and hinders the motion of that joint ; 
this occasions a horse to stumble and fall, and with a veiy little 
work to become lame. The third has its seat between the bone 
and the nerve ; and sometimes upon the nerve, it so much in- 
commodes a horse, that he cannot stand firm, and limps on eve- 
ry little occasion. 

Windgall.'] There are also three kinds of windgalls, which 
appear to the eye much like osselets, but are not, however just 
in the same places ; nor do they feel like them, for osselets are 
hard, but windgalls give way to the touch. Some horses are 
more liable to these than others, and that for several reasons. 
Some proceed from old worn out sires, and others by being work- 
ed too young. A simple windgall is a little tumor, between the 
skin and the flesh, round the fetlocks : when it appears at a 
good distance from the large nerve, it does not lame the horse ; 
and if he has but age on his side, that is, be under ten years old 
at most, he will be as useful as before, provided the work you 
put him to be not of the most laborious kind ; however a horse 
is much better without, than with, even this sort of simple 
windgall, which consists of thin skins, full of red liquid, and soft 
to the touch : The nervous vindgall answers the same descrip- 
tion, only, as the simple ones come upon the fetlock, or a little 
above it, upon the leg bone in the very place of osselets; ner- 
vous ones come behind the fetlock, upon the great nerve which 
makes them of worse consequence, for the} - never fail to lame a 
horse after much fatigue. — These windgalls may happen upon 



PURCHASERS OF HORSES. ^ 13 

any of the legs, but some of them are more dangerous than oft? 
ers, in proportion as they press the nerve, and are capable j,y 
laming the horse ; and take notice, by the way, that windgalls 
are more troublesome in summer than in winter, especially in 
very hot weather, when the pores are all open. The third sort 
is the bloated windgall, and is of the worst sort when they come 
over the hind part of the fetlock, between the bone and the 
large nerve, and make the horse so lame" at every little thing he 
does, that he can scarce set his foot on the /ground ; they ap- 
pear on both sides the leg, without as well as within ; and when 
you touch them with your hand, or finger, they feel like a pig's 
or cow's bladder full of wind. If under his knees there are 
scabs on the inside, it is the speedy or swift cut, and in that case 
he will but ill endure galloping ; if above the pasterns on the in- 
side, you find scabs, it shews interfering ; but if the scabs be 
generally over his legs, it is either occasioned by foul keeping, 
or a spice of the mange. 

Pastern.'] Take care that the pastern joint be clear and well 
knit together, and that the pastern be strong, short and upright ; 
for if the first be big, or swelled, beware of sinew strain ; if the 
other be long, weak or bended, the limbs will be hardly able to 
carry the body without tiring. 

Hoofs.] The hoofs should be black, smooth and tough, rath- 
er long than round, deep, hollow and full sounding ; for white 
hoofs are tender, and carry a shoe ill, and a brittle hoof will 
carry no shoe at all ; a flat hoof, that is pumiced, shews found* 
ering ; and a hoof that is empty and hollow sounding, shews a 
decay of inward part, by reason of some wound or dry founder. 
If the hair lie smooth and close about the crown of the hoof, 
and the flesh flat and even, then all is perfect ; but should the 
hair be there rough, the skin scabbed, and the flesh rising, you 
may then be apprehensive of a ring bone, a crown scab, or a 
quitter bone. 

Circled Feet. Circled feet are very easy to be known ; they 
are when you see little excrescences round the hoof, which en- 
closes the foot, and appear like so many small circles. Deal- 
ers who have such horses, never fail to rasp round the hoofs, in 
order to make them smooth ; and to conceal the rasping when 
they are to shew them for sale, they black the hoofs all over ; 
for without that one may easily perceive what has been done, 
and seeing the mark of the rasp is a proof that the horse is sub- 
ject to this accident. As to the cause, it proceeds from the re- 
mains of an old distemper, or from having been foundered ; and 
the disease being cured, without care being taken of the feet, 
whereupon the circulation of the blood not being regularly made 
especially round the crown between the hair and the horn, the part 
loses its nourishment, and contracts or enlarges itself in pro- 
portion as the horse is worked. If these circles were only on 



14 ADVICE TO THE 

**t**«urface, the jockies' method of rasping them down, would 
qiM%l be good lor nothing ; but they form themselves also within 
the feet, as well as without, and consequently press on the sen- 
sible part, and make a horse limp with ever so little labor. 
One may justly compare a horse in this situation, to a man that 
lias corns on his feet, and yet is obliged to walk a long way in 
shoes that are too tight and stubborn. A horse therefore is 
worth a great deal less upon this account. 

Bow legs.] After having well examined the feet, stand about 
three paces from his shoulders, and look carefully that he is 
not bow-legged, which proceeds from two different causes ; first s 
from nature, when a horse has been got by a worn-out stallion ; 
and secondly, from his having been worked too young ; neither 
in the one case nor the other is the horse of any value, because 
he never can be sure footed : it is also a disagreeable sight if 
the knees point forwards, and his legs turn in under him, so 
that the knees come much further out than the feet ; it is what 
is called a bow-legged horse ; and such a one ought to be reject- 
ed for any service whatsoever, as he never can stand firm on 
his legs ; and how handsome soever he may otherwise be, he 
should on no account be used for a stallion, because all his pro- 
geny will have the same deformity. 

Head.] Then stand by his side, and take particular notice 
that his head be well set on ; for if thick set, be assured it will 
cause him to toss up his nose for want of wind, which causes a 
horse to carry his head disagreeably high, and occasions a tick- 
lish mouth. 

Neck.] His neck should be small at the setting on of his head, 
and long, growing deeper to the shoulders, with a high, strong, 
and thin mane, long, soft, and somewhat curling ; those being 
beautiful characters ; on the contrary, a head ill set on is a great 
deformity. 

Pole~evil] To have a large bigness or swelling in the nape of 
the neck shews the pole-evil. To have a short thick neck like 
a bull, to have it falling in the withers, to haye a low, weak, 
thick or falling crest, shews want of strength and mettle. 

The. Mane.] Much hair on the mane shews dulness, as too 
thin a mane shews fury ; and to have none, or shed, shews the 
worm in it, the itch, or mangeness. 

The Shoulders'] In shewing a horse, a dealer or jockey will 
generally place him with his fore feet on a higher ground than 
his hind ones, in order that the shoulder may appear further in 
his back, and make him higher in sight than he really is ; but be 
sure to cause him to be led on level ground, and see that his 
shoulders lie well into his back ; for an upright shouldered horse 
carries his weight too forward which is disagreeable and un- 
safe to the rider. Have his legs stand even, and you will then 
have it in your power to judge of his shoulders. Ifyoudonov 



PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 15 

observe this, the dealer will contrive that his near leg stands 
before the other, as the shoulders in that position appear to lie 
further in the back. If his knees stand nearly close, and his 
toes quite in a line, not turning in, nor yet turning out, be as- 
sured he will not cut ; if he takes his legs up a moderate height, 
and neither clambers, nor yet goe£ too near the ground, he will 
most likely answer your purpose. 

Back, Body, #c] Observe that the chine of his back be broad , 
even and straight, his ribs well compassed, and bending outward, 
his fillets upright, strong, short, and above an handful between 
his last rib and his huckle bone : his belly should be well let 
down, yet hidden within his ribs, and his stones close thrust up 
to his body, those being marks of health and goodness. Be care- 
ful in observing that he has no swelling in his testicles, a disor- 
der that usually proceeds either from some strain in working, 
or from the horse's having continued too long in the stable, or 
from his putting one leg over any bar, and being checked by the 
halter, or, in a word, from any other accident that confines a 
horse, makes him kick or fling, and bruise his cods, and there 
is no other way of knowing this distemper, but by some outward 
swelling upon the part. 

The coming down of the testicles proceeds from the same 
causes, with this difference only, that it is a long time discover- 
ing itself : whereas the other may come in one night. If his- 
chine be narrow, he will never carry a saddle well ; and to have 
it bending or saddle-backed, shews weakness. If his ribs be flat, 
there is but small liberty for wind. Should his fillets hang low, 
or weak, he will never climb a hill, or carry a burden well. A 
belly that is clung up, or gaunt, and stones hanging down loose, 
are signs of sickness, tenderness, foundering in the body and un- 
aptness for labor. His buttocks should be round, plump, full, 
and in an even level with his body ; the narrow, pin buttock, 
the hog or swine rump, and the falling and downlet buttock, 
shews an injury in nature. The horse that is deep in his girth- 
ing place, is generally of great strength. His hinder thighs, or 
gastains, should be well let down, even to the middle joint, thick, 
brawny, full and swelling ; this being a great sign of strength 
and goodness ; lank and slender thighs shew disability and 
weakness. From the thigh bone to the hock it should be pret- 
ty long, but short from the hock to the pastern. Observe the 
middle joint behind, and if it be nothing but skin and bone, veins 
and sinews, rather a little bending than too strait^it is perfect 
as it should be ; on the contrary, should it have chaps or sores 
on the inward bought, or bending, it is a sallender. 

Spavins.'] Should the joint be generally swelled all over, he 
must have had a blow or bruise ; if in any particular part, as in 
the pot, or hollow part, or on the inside, the vein full and proud r 
and the swelling soft, it is a blood, spavin, Yott connot there- 



1(3 ADVICE TO THE 

fore take too much care in examining the houghs of delicate 
horses, for let the swelling appear ever so small upon the flat of 
the lower part of the hough, within side, though the horse may 
not limp, you ought to be apprehensive that in time < and with 
"but little labor, the spavin will increase on him. 

The fat spavin comes almost in the same place as the other, 
but is larger. 

A third kind is the ox spavin, and this is thought the worst of 
the three. If the swelling be hard, it is a bone spavin ; you 
should examine a horse thoroughly therefore before you buy 
him ; and, in particular, see if all the joints of his legs move 
with equal freedom. Most horses that have the bone spavin are 
very apt to start when you go to take up their legs, and will 
hardly let you touch them with" your hand ; examine them well 
therefore with your eye, and see if between the fetlock and the 
crown, the leg descends even and smooth ; for if you see any 
protuberance between the flesh and the skin, that looks like a 
sort of knot or knernel, you have found the defect. 

A Curb.'] If you observe the swelling to be exactly before 
the knuckle, it is a curb ; which is an accident that may happen 
in different manners : such as a strain in working, slipping his 
foot in a hole, or in marshy ground, &c. out of which he pulls it 
with pain, and by that means wrenches his hough, without dis- 
locating any thing, and yet, without speedy care, he may be 
lamed. 

A RaPs Tail.'] There is also a defect which is more com- 
mon in the hind than the fore legs, though the latter are not 
quite exempt from it, and it is called the rat's tail, and it is thus 
luiown ; when you see from the hind part of the fetlock, up 
along the nerves, a kind of line channel that separates the hair 
to both sides, this is a rat's tail ; and in summer there appears a 
kind of small dry scab along this channel : and in winter there 
issues out a humidity, like the water from the legs. A horse 
may work notwithstanding this disorder, for it seldom lames 
him ; it sometimes occasions a stiffness in the legs, and makes 
them trot like foxes, without bending their joints. The hind 
legs should be lean, clean, flat, and sinewy; for if fat, they will 
not bear labor ; if swelled, the fat is moulten into them, if scab- 
bed above the pasterns, it is the scratches ; and if he hath chops 
under his pasterns, he hath what is generally called the rains. 
If he has a good buttock, his tail cannot stand ill, but will be 
broad, high, flat, and couched a little inward. 

A walk and trot in hand.] Having with care examined the 
horse, let him be run in hand a gentle trot ; by this you will 
soon perceive if he is lame or not. Make the man lead him by 
the end of the bridle, as in this case you cannot be deceived by 
the man's being too near him. The far fore leg, and near hind 
leg, or the near fore leg, and far hind leg, should move and go 



PURCHASERS OF HORSES. j(7 

forward at one and the same time ; and in this motion, the near- 
er the horse taketh his limbs from the ground, the opener, the 
evener, and the shorter is his space. 

Forging.'] If he takes up his feet slovenly, it shews stum- 
bling or lameness ; to tread narrow, or cross, shews interfering, 
or failing 5 to step uneven, shews weariness ; and if he treads 
long, you may be apprehensive he forges ; by which I mean, 
that when he walks or trots, he strikes the toes of his hind feet 
against the corners of his shoes before, which occasions a clat- 
tering noise as you ride ; and this proceeds generally from the 
weakness of his fore legs, he hot having strength in them to 
raise them up sufficiently quick to make way for the hind'ones. 
A horse of this kind is not near so serviceable as the horse ex- 
empt from it ; and the dealers, to get rid of him, v/ill make 
abundance of pretences ; if he has been just shod, they will 
say the farrier has put him on too long shoes ; if his shoes are 
old, they will tell you he has just come oif a long journey, and 
is much fatigued ; you must not therefore be over credulous to 
any thing a jockey or dealer affirms ; for what they say in 
this manner, is too often with intent to deceive ; and it is ve- 
ry certain, that a horse who forges can never be sure footed, 
any more than one who has tottering and bow legs. 

Walk and trot mounted.]' On his being mounted, see him walk. 
Observe his mouth, that he pulls fair, not too high, nor bearing 
down 5 then stand behind him, and see if he goes narrower be- 
fore than behind, as every horse that goes well on his legs goes 
in that manner. Take notice that he brushes not by going too 
close : a certain sign of his cutting, and tiring in travelling. 
Have nothing to do with that horse who throws ,his legs con- 
fusedly about, and crosses them before : this you may observe 
by standing exactly before or behind him, as he is going along. 
In his trot he should point his fore legs well, and that he throws 
well in his hind legs, without clambering, nor yet as if he were 
afraid ; which will enable him to support his trot, and shoot his 
fore parts forward. 

A Canter or Gallop.] In his canter, observe he does not fret, 
but goes cool in this pace ; and in his gallop, he should take 
his feet nimbly from the ground, and not raise them too high ; 
but that he stretcheth out his fore legs, and follows nimbly with 
his hind ones ; and that he cutteth not under his knee, (which 
is called the swift or speedy cut) that he crosses not, nor claps 
one foot on another ; and ever leadeth with his far fore foot, 
and not with the near one. If he gallops round, and raises his 
fore feet, he may be said to gallop strongly, but not swiftly, 
and if he labor his feet confusedly, and seems to gallop painful- 
ly, it shews some hidden lameness ; for in all his paces', you 
particularly observe that his limbs are free and without die 
least stiffness. 

3 



1$ ADVICE TO THE, &c 

Tottering Legs.] Now that he has been well exercised in 
those different places, it is your time to examine for an infir- 
mity not easily discovered, and that is what I call Tottering' 
Legs: You cannot perceive it till after a horse has galloped for 
some time ; and then, by letting him rest a little, you will see 
his legs tremble under him, which is the disorder I mean ; how 
handsome soever the legs of such a horse may be, he never can 
stand well on them ; you are therefore not to mind what the 
jockey says, when he talks of the beauty of the limbs ; for if 
you oblige him to gallop the horse, or fatigue him pretty much, 
(which is commonly done in order to try the creature's bottom) 
you wMl in all likelihood discover this defect, unless you suffer 
the groom to gallop him to the stable door, and put him up in 
a moment, which he will certainly endeavor to do, if he is con- 
scious of it, while the master has another horse ready to shew 
you, in order to take off your attention from what he is afraid 
you should see. 

Thus having, to the best of my judgment, gone through every 
requisite observation relative to the purchase of a horse, studi- 
ously avoiding its being drawn into an unnecessary length, yet 
at the same time being as careful to avoid an affected brevity, 
the gentlemen, to whom many of my observations are famil- 
iar, will please to observe, that I have endeavored, as much as 
possible, to write for the information of the person entirely un- 
acquainted with the qualifications which form a complete horse ; 
in the purchase of which, the person should particularly consid- 
er the end for which he buys ' 7 whether for running, hunting, 
travelling, draught or burden ; and it is therefore almost unne- 
cessary to remind him, that the biggest and strongest are fittest 
for strong occasions, burdens, draught, or double-carriage; as 
the middle size is for hunting, pleasure, general employments, 
and the least for summer hackney. The last thing I shall take 
the freedom to observe to my readers is, that a very small por- 
tion of this treatise has been taken from a late publication, de- 
ficient in many respects, though, at the same time containing 
some trite observations ; and that the bulk of it has been com- 
piled from my own experience, assisted by various Authors on 
the subject, of which Monsieur Saunier is the principal. All I 
have therefore to observe is, that it was compiled at the re- 
quest of the publishers, as a suitable companion to a book of 
the same size,, entitled, The Gentleman's Pocket Farriery ; 
shewing how to use a horse on a journey ; and what remedies 
are proper for common accidents that may befal him on the 
road ; which having been universally approved, and met with 
a very extensive sale, they are hopeful, that a well drawn up 
assistant towards the purchase of a horse, describing the disor- 
ders, ftc to which he is liable,, might stand fair to be received 
with marks of the same public approbation. 



OBSERVATIONS AND RECEIPTS, 



CURE OF MOST COMMON DISTEMPERS 



INCIDENT TO 



HORSES. 



When you chuse to have a foal for beauty, let your horse 
and mare be of a coal black, a bright bay, a good grey, or a 
dun, which are very agreeable colors ; and let your horse and 
mare be sound, and of a known good breed, with their marks 
much alike; the horse should be 15, and the mare 14 hands 
and an half high, nor should they be more than six years old 
when they are brought together ; and by observing these direc- 
tions, you need not fear having good, strong, and sound colts. 

If you have more mares than one with foal at a time, mind 
to keep them asunder when they have foaled, for a whole year, 
lest either of the colts going to the other's dam should get a 
kick, as often happens, that may make him a cripple ever af- 
ter; when they are a year old you may wean them, because 
they may then eat oats, bran and good short hay ; and you 
may likewise at that time put them together, provided you 
have none that are a year older than they to run with them ; 
for as they are apt to kick and lame each other, so, if they 
are of an age, they will be the better able to bear ope anoth- 
er's blows ; and now is the time your servants should be care- 
ful not to learn them any bad tricks, by letting tkm bite, or 
kick at them ; for if they do, they will find it a hard matter to 
break them of it. When they are come to about four or five 
years old, you may let them eat beans and pease s and if you 
intend to bring them to business, put them into the stable for 
two or three days, tie them up with a halter to acquaint them 
with the other horses, letting your servant make much of them 5 
then put on each of them a bridle, and let them stand two or 
three days longer with the bit in their mouth, that you may 
the better manage them when you come to back them. Next 
take one of them out of the stable, and lead him about in 
your hand with asaddle on his back; then m^unt him, but he* 

/ 



20 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

sure to have a good strong bridle, girths, and stirrups, and 
take care you are not thrown ; for if he gets the upper hand 
of you, then you will find it a hard matter to break him ; leant 
him to walk on boldlv, for he will be apt to stop and startle at 
any thing that presents itself to his view. When you have 
learned him to walk well, and observe that he is not frighted 
at every little thing he sees, then you may venture to trot and 
gallop him; and by this means you may soon bring him to all 
his paces. Your horse being now fit for service : and perfect- 
ly sound, he will fetch you a good price, if you intend to dis- 
pose of him. 

We shall now give you some directions to prevent your be- 
ing imposed on in the purchase of a horse: The first of which 
is, never to bargain for one before you ride him, because he 
may start and stumble, though handsome to look upon ; but 
first examine strictly his teeth, eyes, legs, and wind ; and then 
to know his age, raise his upper lip with your finger and thumb, 
and if his teeth shut close, he is young, but if they point for- 
ward, and the upper and the under edges don't meet even, he 
is old; and the longer his teeth are, (the gums being dry and 
shrunk from them, looking yellow and rusty) the older he is. 

If his eyes are lively and clear, and you can see to the 
bottom, and the image of your face is reflected from thence, 
and not from the surface of the eye, they are good ; but if 
muddy, cloudy, or coal black, they are bad. 

If his knees are not broke, nor stand bending and trembling 
forward, (which is called knuckling) his legs may be good, but 
if lie steps short, and digs his toes into the ground, beware of a 
founder, or at least a contracted back sinew. 

If his flanks beat even and slow, his wind may be good ; but 
if they heave double and irregular, or (while he stands in the 
stable) blows at the nostrils, as if he had just been galloping they 
are signs of a broken wind. 

A horse with thick shoulders and a broad chest laden with 
flesh, hanging too forward and heavily projecting over his knee? 
and feet, is fitter for a collar than a saddle. 

A horse with thin shoulders and a fiat chest, whose fore feet 
stand boldly forward and even, his neck rising semicircular from 
the points of those thin shoulders to his head, may justly be said 
to have a light fore hand, and is fitter for a saddle than a col- 
lar. 

Next enquire if he bites, kicks, stops, or starts. A horse may 
be sound, though guilty of all four, which a man can hardly dis- 
cover by barely looking on him ; so we refer you to the keep- 
er. 

When you are buying, 'tis common for the owner to say in 
praise of his horse, that he hath neither splent, spavin nor wind- 
fall. 



eURE OF HORSES. ,21 

That you may not be imposed on, those three are thus de- 
scribed : 

The splent is a fixed callous excrescence, or hard knob grow- 
ing upon the flat of the inside or outside (and sometimes both) 
of the shank bone, a little under, and not far from the knee, and 
may be seen and felt. 

The spavin is of the same nature, and appears in the like 
manner on the shank bone behind, and not far below the hough. 

The windgalls are several little swellings just above the fet- 
lock joints of all the four leg^ : they seem (in feeling) to be full 
of wind or jelly, but they never lame a horse ; the splent and 
spavin always do; and for their cure, look among the receipts 
at the end of this treatise on horses. 

To discover if a horse stumbles or starts, when you mount 
him neither let him feel your spurs, nor see your whip ; keep 
yourself in a profound calm ; and when you are seated, go gent- 
ly off with a loose rein, which will make him careless ; and if 
he is a stumbler, he will discover himself iu a very little way. 

The best horse may stumble, but if he springs out when he 
stumbles, as if he feared your whip and spur, you may justly 
suspect him to be an old offender : a man should never strike a 
horse for stumbling or starting : Ave confess the provocation is 
great, but the fright of correction makes him worse. 

Whenever you intend to travel or hunt, let your horse's feet 
be examined some convenient time before you set out, to see 
that his shoes are all fast, and set easy on his feet : for on that 
depends the pleasure and safety of your journey. 

If he cuts, either before or behind, look that his shoes stand 
not out with an edge beyond the hoof, and feel that the clinch- 
es lie close ; but if his cutting proceeds from interfering, (that 
is crossing his legs in his trot) then it is a natural infirmity, and 
can only be a little helped by care. 

If (as he stands in the stable) you observe him to point one 
foot forwarder than the other, either before or behind, seeming 
to bear no weight on it, you may reasonably conclude he is not 
easy : if the shoe is the cause, the farrier can remove it pre- 
sently : but if the foot is hot, hurt by some unknown accident, 
then make the following poultice ; 

Take any sort of greens, such as lettuce, cabbage, mallow 
leaves, turnip tops, or turnips themselves, the best of aU ; boil 
them tender, squeeze the water out, chop them in a wooden 
bowl, with two or three ounces of hog's lard or butter. 

Put this poultice into a cloth, and tie his foot in it as hot as 
you can ; this will soften his hoof, and in the farrier's paring, 
he will discover if he is pricked or bruised; if he is only bruised 
one more poultice will cure him ; but if he is wounded to the 
quick, open the hole with your penknife, and put to it the fol- 
lowing horse ointment ; wh;ch being kept on with dry tow, witl 



tm RECEIPTS FOR THE 

suck out the gravel ; and his foot being put as before in a hot 
poultice, and repeated morning and evening, he will be well iw 
Two or three nights. 

The Horse Ointment. 

Into a clean pipkin that holds about a quart, put the bigness 
of a pullet's egg of yellow rosin ; when it is melted over a mid- 
dling fire, add the same quantity of bees wax; when that is 
melted, put in half a pound of hog's lard ; when it is dissolved, 
put in 2 ounces of honey ; when that is dissolved put in half a 
pound of common turpentine ; keep it gently boiling, stirring it 
with a stick all the time ; when the turpentine is dissolved, put 
in two ounces of verdigrease finely powdered ; but before you 
put in the verdigrease, you must take off the pipkin, else it will 
rise into the fire in a moment ; set it on again, and give it two 
or three wabbles, and strain it through a coarse sieve into a 
<dean vessel for use, and throw the dregs away. 

This ointment is very good for a wound or bruise in the flesh 
or hoof, broken knees, galled backs, bites, cracked heels, mal- 
landers or when you geld a horse, to keep the flies away. 

The aforesaid poultice and ointment will likewise cure a horse 
that is lame in his heel or hoof, occasioned by an over-reach, or 
tread of another horse, be it never so deep, and though gravel 
be in it : for it will suck it out, fill it again with sound flesh and 
make the hoof grow over it much sooner than any other method 
4>r medicine whatsoever. 

All cuts, treads, and bruises are cured by the aforesaid poul- 
tice, not only safest and soonest, but without leaving any mark. 

If a horse's legs and heels swell and crack, and become stiff 
and sore, wash them with hot water and soap, then prepare the 
foregoing poultice, and tie it on hot, letting it stay on all night. 
Feed him as usual, and offer him warm water. About three or 
four hours after he is put up for all night, and fed, give him the 
following ball: 

Half an ounce of sethiop's mineral. Ditto of balsam of sul- 
pher terib. Ditto of diapente, or powdered anniseeds, mixed and 
made into a ball with honey or treacle, and a pint of warm ale 
after it ; and, in the morning, give him warm water, in the stable 
on account of the ball. A day or two after take a pint of blood 
from his neck. 

The poultice being continued every night, and the ball three 
times, that is every other night, it v/ill cure a horse if he is young 
and the distemper new ; but if he is old, and hath had it a long 
time on him, it will require further repetition : take great care 
not to let him sweat during this operation, for it will retard fhc 
<eure. 



CURE OF HOUSES: U 

If you ean get no sort of poulticing, then melt hog's lard, but-* 
fer or kitchen-grease, in a sauce-pan ; and with a rabbit's foot 
or a rag, grease his heels with it veiy hot. 

The niallender is a crack in the bend of the knee, and the 
sellander is a crack in the bend of the hough ; and are cured 
by the same method, medicine, greasing and poulticing, which 
are used for swelled and cracked heels. 

If the saddle bruises his back, and makes it swell, a greasy 
dish-clout laid on hot, and a rag over it bound on for a while, 
and repeated once or twice, will sink it ; then Wash it with a 
Httle water and salt, and it will cure it. 

If a horse is off his stomach, and the keeper is afraid of a 
Surfeit, which is often attended, with the grease, the farcy or 
both, the symptoms are the starting of the coat, and hide 
bound. 

The starting of the coat will soon appear ; to prevent which^ 
boil for a cordial, 

Half a pound of anniseeds in a quart of ale ; pour it upon 
half a pound of honey in a bowl, brew it about till it is almost. 
as cold as blood, then give it with a horn, seeds and all. — - 
Feed as usual, but keep him warm cloathed ; give him warm 
water that night and next morning. A mash will do well that 
night, and, lest the cordial should not have force enough to 
carry off the surfeit, give him, after all,, and just before bed- 
time, one of the balls, as directed above. 

To prevent stiffness, supple and wash his legs with greasy 
dish-wash, or hot water and soap, and do not take him out of 
the stable that night : grease his hoofs, and stop his feet witlr 
the following ball: 

Two or three handfuls of bran, put into a sauce-pan, with as 
much grease of any kind as will moisten it ; make it hot, and 
put a ball of it into each fore foot. Cover each with a httle 
tow or straw, and put two splints over that to keep it in alt 

night. But these balls are not necessary in the winter, nor 

when the roads are full of water. 

This ball will likewise prevent a horse from catching cold, or 
foundering, after he has been rid hard upon a dry road in hot 
weather. 

If you wrench a horse's shoulder, or what we commonly call 
a shoulder.slip, mix two ounces of oil of spike with one ounce 
•f oil of swallows, and with your hands rub a little of it all 
over his shoulder ; then bleed him in the plait vein, and let him: 
rest two days, that will cure a slight strain. 

If he continues lame, put a round rowel to draw away the 
humours, about two inches below the point of his shoulder ; 
in doing which, take care to keep off the plait vein ; for if you 
wound that, it is an hundred to one but it strikes into his body 
and mortifies.; several have died that way. After vou have 



fc4 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

rowelled him, you must let him rest two days at least, till the 
rowel digests and runs ; and then, though lame, you may walk 
him a little, but it must be very slow ; and he will soon grow 
well. You must remember to turn the rowel every morning af- 
ter it runs. This experiment has often been tried with good 
Success. 

If a horse is strained in the stifle (a little bone upon the thigh 
bone, above the inside bend or the hough,) the Turnip Poultice, 
mentioned in page 21, will infallibly cure it; but, by its situa- 
tion, you will find a difficulty to keep it on, yet it may be done 
with a few yards of list. 

If it is not well or much amended, in three or four days ex- 
amine his hip, perhaps he may be hipshot, but that must be cur- 
ed by a rowel, because you cannot fasten a poultice on that 
part. First rub his hip with the two oils above mentioned 
for a shoulder-slip : then put a round rowel about three or four 
inches below the large cavity which receives the head of the 
thigh bone ; when it begins to digest, turn the rowel every morn- 
ing. After a week or ten days you may take it out, and keep 
the lips of the wound moist with hog's lard, that it may heal the 
smoother. 

An excellent Remedy to cure a Clap in the Back Sinews. 

Take a spoonful or two of hog's lard, or rather goose grease, 
melt it in a saucepan, and rub into the back sinew very hot, 
from the bend of the knee to the fetlock ; make, as you are de- 
sired in page 21, a turnip poultice, and tie it on hot, from the 
fetlock to above the knee, and let it stay on aU night : thus, first 
tie the cloth about the fetlock, then put it in the poultice, and 
raise the cloth and poultice together, till you get it above the 
bend of the knee, twisting the list or string round his leg as you 
rise, and fasten it above the bend of the knee ; take it off in 
the morning, and pirt on a fresh one ; at night do the same. 
Two or three of these' poidtices will cure a new strain, five or 
six an old one. If he has been lame a long time, the sinew will 
be contracted ; this poultice will relax it. 

The same poultice will also cure the fetlock of a horse that 
is cast in his halter, by repeating it till he is well. 

A caution to prezent the taking a Clap in the Back Sinews for a 
Shoulder-Slip, ichich very often happens. 

If it is in the shoulder, he will draw his toe on the ground as 
he walks : if in the back sinew, he will lift it off and step short, 
though downright lame. There does not happen above one 
shouider-siip to fifty back sinew strains. 



CURE OF HORSES. ' 25- 

Never take a horse out of a warm stable to ride him into a 
horse-pond at an unseasonable hour, either too early or too late 3 
for by that means he often catches a great cold. 

Sometimes, upon a violent cold, a large swelling as big as 
one's arm, from the elbow to the sheath on both sides his belly, 
will rise ; when it so happens, take, if you can get it, (for the 
swellings may hinder) half a pint of blood, or thereabouts, from 
the spur-vein on each side ; then clothe him warmer than usual, 
and give him the anniseed cordial, seeds and all, as directed in 
page 23. Repeat it for a day or two, taking such care of him 
as belongs to a horse that has just caught cold. , 

If the swelling continues, and corruption gathers in it you 
must let it out with the fleam, he will grow well as his cold goes 
off. 

If, after a day or two, you perceive a running at his eyes 
and a little gleeting at his nostrils, you must expect to hear 
him cough, in that case, take a pint of blood from his neck in 
a morning, and at noon give an additional feed to make amends 
for the loss of blood. At night give him a mash over and 
above his usual allowance. The next night give him the an- 
niseed cordial as before. 

If his cough continues three days, you must take another 
pint of blood from his neck ; and to keep it off his lungs, give 
him just before you go to bed, 

Liquorice powder-, an ounce ; sweet oil, a spoonful ; sethiops 
mineral, an ounce; balsam of sulphur, half an ounce; made in- 
to a ball with a little honey. 

Clothe and keep him warm, repeat the ball next night, which 
will be sufficient to cure any new gotten cold or surfeit. 

Feel between his jaws, and if his kernels are swelled, three 
or four turnip' poultices, as mentioned in page 21, will dissolve 
them, but continue the anniseed cordial till he is well. 

When a horse has got cold, it sometimes falls into his eyes, 
which you will know by a running or thick glare upon them 5 
put your hand to his nostrils, and if you find his breath hotter 
than usual, it will then be necessary to take a little blood from 
his neck ; that is, a pint, or a quart at most, unless it be very 
thick and very hot. It is safer to take a gallon at five or six 
bleedings, than two quarts at once ; for it robs him of too much 
animal spirits. 

Always bleed a horse in a pint or quart pot ; for when yon 
bleed at random on the ground, you never can know what quan- 
tity you take, nor what quality his blood is of. From such . 
violent methods, used with ignorance, proceeds the death of a 
great number of horses. 

A pint of blood for the first time is enough, and you may re- 
peat that as you see occasion but you cannot easily restore the 
blood and spirits yon may be too lavish of. 
4 



26 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

But to return to the eyes. After you have taken a pint of 
Wood from him, get a quartern loaf hot out of the oven, cut 
away the crust, and put the soft ins:de into a linen hag large 
enough to cover his forehead and temples ; press it flat, and 
bind it on by way of poultice, as hot as may he without scald- 
ing ; at the same time fasten something of a cloth about his 
neck to keep his throat warm. Let the poultice stay on till it 
is almost cold, and repeat it once or twice, then prepare the fol- 
lowing eye water : 

Into half a pint of rose or spring water, put one dram of tutty 
finely prepared ; one dram of white sugar candy powdered 5 
and half a dram of sugar of lend- 

With a feather put a drop into each eye, mornings and eve- 
nings. 

Never blow powders into the eyes, always use liquids- 

The next day if needful, repeat the poultice ; and for want of 
a hot loaf at any time, make a poultice of bread boiled in milk, 
continuing the eye water every day. 

You may nse the turnip poultice, mentioned in page 21 ; but 
you must not put grease into it. 

If a film grows ever the eye, put a scruple of white vitriol., 
and a scruple of roach-allum, both finely powdered, into half a 
quartern of spring water, and with a feather put a drop into 
each eye, mornings and evenings, and it will eat it clean off in 
three days, or thereabouts. 

It is observed, some horses carry a good belly for a long time ; 
others part with their food before it is well digested, which makes 
them so thin and lank, that they are ready to slip through their 
girths ; they are called washy. Such horses must be chiefly 
fed with dry meat ; that is, oats and beans, but seldom with 
bran. They also will eat as much, or rather more than other 
horses, and you should feed them oftener ; for being too soon 
empty, they require it. 

If you do not gallop a horse off his wind, we will venture to 
say, it is not a journey hurts him, but your neglect of him when 
you dismount ; and therefore consider he is tied up, and can 
ha\e nothing but what is brought to him ; for he cannot help 
himself. 

When you are upon a journey, always sec your horse fed as 
soon as you can at night, that he may go to rest, and iie will be 
fresher for it in the morning; and always give two or three 
feeds instead of a large one : for too much at once will cloy 
him. 

If at any time you perceive your horse faint, you may give 
him a pint' of warm ale with a quartern of brandy, rum, or ge- 
neva in it ; or an ounce of diapente in it. Diapente will com- 
fort his bowels, drive out cold and wind, and cause him to car- 
ry his food the longer. 



©URE 0P HORSES. £7 

If a horse is taken with the gripes (which he will discover to 
you by often looking towards his flanks,) and cannot keep upon 
his legs, but rolls and beats himself about, as undoubtedly he is 
in very great misery, do not bleed him unless his breath is very 
hot, but clothe him warm immediately, and with a horn give 
him half a pint of brandy, and as much sweet oil, mixed ; then 
trot him about till he is a little warm, and it will certainly cure 
some horses. If it does not cure yours, boil an ounce of beaten 
pepper in a quart of milk, and put half a pound of butter, and 
two or three ounces of salt, into a bowl or bason, and brew 
them together, give it rather warmer than usual ; it will purge 
him in about half an hoar, and perhaps remove the fit. If it 
does not, omit half the pepper, and give the same in quality 
and quantity by way of clyster, adding as it cools, the yolks of 
four eggs. If he is very bad, and neither will do, boil a pound 
of anniseetls, in two quarts of ale, brew it upon a pound of hon- 
ey ; when it is almost cool enough, put in two ounces of diascor- 
dium, and give it with a horn at three doses, allowing about 
half an hour between each dose ; If his fit abates, give him time 
to recover, but if all this does not give him ease, and you have a 
suspicion of worms or bottsbred in his gut, which indeed may be 
the cause ; for they sometimes fasten in the passage from the 
stomach unto the great gut, stop it, and so torment him till he 
dies ; then give him two ounces of gethop's mineral made into a 
ball, with an ounce of the powder of anniseeds and a spoonful 
of honey,' and it will cure him : But you must not give this to a 
mare with foal. 

Never let a horse stand too long without exercise ; it fills his 
belly too full of meat, and his veins too full of blood, and from 
hence often proceeds the staggers. 

A cure for the Staggers. 

If a horse be strong, take first a pint of blood from the neck j 
and when you have done that, open one of the thigh veins, and 
from thence take a quart ; if the disease be simple, this will cure 
him ; but keep him afterwards to a moderate cleansing diet, 
and by degrees harden him with proper exercise ; if he is weak, 
bleed him less in proportion. After which, we recommend the 
following clysters from Mons. Solleyel. 

Boil two ounces of the scorise of the liver of antimony made 
into a fine powder, in five pints of beer ; after five or six wab- 
bles remove it from the fire, adding a quarter of a pound of tmt- 
ter or hog's lard, and give it him two or three times, if he will 
bear it, and it will cure him : rub him well down, and give him 
warm water during this course of physic. 

Thus thin skinned horses that have been well kept and cloth- 
ed, should never be turned to grass above three months in the 



28 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

year; viz. from the beginning of Juno to the end of August; but 
thick skinned horses have strong coats which keep out the 
weather; and if well fed, will lie abroad all the year ; for walk- 
ing about to feed prevents stiffness in their limbs: and treading 
in the grass keeps their hoofs moist and cool : but they should 
have a hovel to* come to at night, or when it snows or rains- 

Never purge a horse just taken from grass, for it dissolves or 
looses some tender fat or humours, which fall into his legs or 
heels, so that he rarely stands dry all the winter after. But af- 
ter six days you may bleed him under a quart, and at night 
give him the anniseed cordial, mentioned in page 23 ; which is a 
gentle opener. 

If you needs must purge a horse, for which we would have a 
good "reason given, let him not touch cold water within or with- 
out till the day after it has done working, but give him whatev- 
er warm water he will drink. — And let the following be tiie 
purge : 

Aloes one ounce ; jallop two or three drams ; oil of cloves ten 
drams, made into a ball with honey. 

A purge may work the first day, but commonly not till the 
second. We have known them lie three days in a horse, and 
work well off at Inst. 

Never stir him out of the stable till the purge has done work- 
ing, for there is no need of exercise during the operation, be- 
cause even- purge will carry itself off, if you keep him warm, 
and supply him with warm mashes, and as much warm water 
as he will drink, and as often. 

When a purge works too long, or too strong upon him, which 
will weaken him too much, give an ounce of Venice treacle in a 
pint of warm ale, and repeat it, if needful, to blunt the force 
of the aloes. 

If a horse, who once looked fat and sleek, is brought to you 
With a staring coat, and a hollow flank, open his mouth, look 
on the roof, and if the gums next his fore teeth are swelled 
higher than his teeth, it will hinder his feeding, and make him 
fall off his flesh. Let a Smith burn it down with a hot iron ; that 
is a complete cure for the lampas. 

If that is not the cause, you should never cease inquiring till 
you have found it out, for a horse cannot speak. 

From galloping a horse too hard when he is full of water of- 
ten proceeds a broken wind. 

The following Remedy, taken from Gibson, we have often given 
iciih great success to a broken winded Horse. 

Mix linseed and fenugreek frequently in his corn, and some- 
times those of fennel, carraways, and anise ; and boil in his wa 
ter three or four handfuls of barley, with a little liquorice or 



CURE OF HORSES, . 29 

honey dissolved in it ; but j'ou must not often use the liquorice. 
Exercise him more or less every <lay, but let it be v moderately, 
and when the weather be clear. 

If he be at any time seized with an oppression, and a more 
than ordinary difficulty of breathing, he should have a vein 
opened in his flank, or on the inside of the thigh, from whence 
may be taken a small quantity of blood ; but this must be done 
only when there is an absolute necessity for it; or the follow- 
ing balls have been given and continued with great success. 

Take of myrrh and gum benizon, of each four ounces; gum 
arable, the roots of oriece, round birth wort, and the shavings of 
hartshorn or ivory, of each two ounces ; galangal and zedorary, 
of each an ounce ; fennel seeds, cummin seeds, and fenugreek, 
of each an ounce and a half: Let these be beat into a fine pow- 
der, and made up into a stiff paste, with honey or syrup of colts- 
foot ; then work into the whole an ounce of the common balsam 
of sulphur, and let them be made into balls the bigness of a large 
walnut, whereof one is to be given every morning and afternoon, 
an hour before watering time. 

The true and only use of rowels is to dissolve hard swellings 
discharge and cool wounds and bruises, to draw off and digest, 
humours that lodge only between the flesh and the skin ; and 
therefore will never cure the grease or farcy ; of which we shall 
here give a description. 

Heats and colds thicken the blood ; and the veins being full, 
it either turns to the grease, and vents at the heels or frush; or,' 
for want of circulation, stagnates and corrupts in the veins ; so 
breaks through vein, skin and all, into buds of the farcy. 

Most people imagine that the farcy lies between the flesh and 
the skin, but in our opinion they are very much mistaken ; for 
before the bud breaks < out, the veins cord ; which is a strong 
presumption that the distemper hath its origin in me blood, be- 
cause there is its first appearance. Take a pint of blood from 
any horse whose veins are corded any where about him, and it 

will shew its corruption as soon as it is cold. Bleeding checks 

the distemper, whereas if you do not bleed, it would break out 
in every part about him from his ears to the soles of his feet, 
even the corners of his eye, his yard and the very inside of his 
hoofs, or wherever there are any blood-vessels. These de- 
monstrations oblige us to believe the distemper does not lie in 
the skin, but in the veins. 

For the cure of the farcy, look among the receipts at the end 
of this treatise on horses. 

The glanders proceed from several repeated colds, such as are 
catched at winter-grass ; and by lying long upon the lungs and 
glands, corrupt the blood, and produce that unhappy conse* 
quence of running at the nostrils ; for the cure of which look 
among the receipts at the end of this treatise on horses. 



30 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

The mourning of the chine is downright poverty of flesh and 
blood, which the severity of the distempers (£. e. colds) bring on 
and may be compared to a lean man in a consumption : but 
there is no such tlung as the running of the spinal marrow at 
the nostrils, as many affirm ; for the vessel that contains the 
spinal marrow, is composed of the same coats that inclose the 
brain, and is continued from the brain without disjunction, 
through the neck and chine bones, till it ends in the dock ; so 
that there is not the least communication between the spinal 
marrow and the nostrils. It is much the same as in human bo- 
dies. 

If you would know when a horse is in a fever, there is a pulse 
a little above the knee, in the inside of his leg, which may be 
felt in thin skinned horses ; but the best and surest way is to put 
your hand to his nostrils, and discover it by the heat of his 
breath. There is a time in some fevers when it is dangerous to 
bleed or purge ; then clysters are of excellent use, we must say 
absolutely necessary ; but not one in a thousand will give them- 
selves the trouble to relieve the poor sick creature in that way 
for two reasons ; 1st, Few people know when a horse is in a fe- 
ver ; 2dly, They seldom are provided with so material an in- 
strument as a clyster-pipe. Therefore, for the sake of the crea- 
ture, and those that love him, the following clyster in a fever is 
as good as any, and as little trouble : but first get a pipe eight 
or ten inches long, with a bore large enough to receive the end 
of your finger, and a rim at one end of the pipe, that what you 
tie on may not slip off ; then boil a spoonful of oatmeal in two 
quarts of water, together with two ounces of senna, add half a 
pound of brown sugar, half a pint of sweet oil, and a handful of 
salt. Get a bladder that will contain the above said quantity, 
and tie its neck to the pipe. Pour the clyster, with a funnel 
through the pipe into the bladder, and give it blood-warm, set- 
ting the horse's hinder parts highest. Keep him quiet in the 
stable till he voids it, the longer it stay with him the better. 

If in bleeding you miss the vein, do not strike your fleam a 
second time in the same place, because it sometimes makes the 
neck swell and proves troublesome to cure ; but the extravasa- 
ied blood infallibly makes the neck swell, and the jugular vein 
rot quite away from the orifice to the jaw bone and downwards 
almost to the shoulder, which may prove the loss of a horse ; 
therefore you should take care in pinning, that you leave not a 
drop of blood between the flesh and the skin. The turnip poul- 
tice, as mentioned in page 21, makes the best cure : but if the 
neck should happen to be extremely bad, to help the poultice, 
you must put a small hair rowel two or three inches below the 
"hard swelling, and continue a repetition of the poultice, morn- 
ings and evenings, till it is well : and this is all that is in the 



SURE OF HORSES. 81 

great wonder of a swelled neck ; that often costs so many horses 
a long fit of illness. 

If you dock a horse, never put under his tail the knife or in- 
strument which is to cut it off, because you must then strike the 
tail, which will bruise it ; then it mortifies, and that is the reason 
so many horses die with docking 5 but lay his tail next the block 
and at one blow drive the knife through a joint, if possible, and 
let one stand ready with a hot iron to sear the end oi" the dock 
and stop bleeding. 

There are innumerable misfortunes which no man can cure, 
or human foresight guard against. 

We have here mentioned most of the common accidents 
that happen to a horse, and have taken care, that under some of 
the heads we have treated of, you may find a great deal of 
help, by the analogy they have to one another. 

We have put no drug or composition in here but what is ve- 
ry cheap, and may be had almost in every country town and 
village ; so we hope we have left no difficulty on any body ; 
and we likewise hope, that what we have here set down on the 
Cure of Horses will be very acceptable and useful to all those 
who may have occasion for them ; which done, we shall add a 
few more approved Receipts communicated by this Society, 
some of which we have referred to, and so end this Treatise for 
the Cure ©f Horses, and proceed to those of Cattle, &c. 



32 

RECEIPTS. 



To dure the Grease, Surfeits, Loss of Appetite, Cough, Shortness of 
Breath ; to Purify the Blood, and to Fatten tired and wasted 
Horses. 

Give the horse two ounces of liver of antimony? which is 
crocus metallorum unwashed, in oats and bran moistened every 
morning for twenty days together. 

To cure the Mange. 

Anoint the back bone with mercurial ointment every other 
day, three times, and give the horse liver of antimony. 

For a Horse that is Costive. 

Give him a clyster 1 of broth, with four ounces of soap, and a 
handful of salt dissolved in it. 

To cure a Scouring. 

Take milk-water, strong cinnamon water, of each half a pint ; 
venice treacle, diascordium, of each one ounce ; red coral pre- 
pared, half an ounce ; mix and give it to the horse. 

To cure a Pestilential Fever. 

Take milk-water, plague-water, of each half a pint ; venice 
treacle, diascordium, of each an ounce ; diaphoretic antimony, 
half an ounce ; snake-root powdered, two drams j mix and give 
it to the horse. 

Water for Inflamed Eyes. 

Take half a pint of spring water, add to that the quantity of 
an horse bean of white copperas j and wash the eyes with this 
water twice a-day ; it is of great use. 

To cure the Farcin or Farcy. 

First bleed the horse. Take red precipitate, in fine powder. 
two drams ; and make it into a ball with one ounce of venice 
treacle, and give it the horse. After the ball, give the follow- 
ing drink : 



CURE OF HORSES. 33 

Take rue, two handfuls ; roots of madder, sharp pointed 
dock, of each four ounces 5 chips ofguaiacum wood, sassafras> 
of each two ounces ; boil them in two quarts of stale beer, to 
three pints, then strain it. Dress the knots with arsenic. 

Repeat the ball and drink every third or fourth day, for three 
doses. 

Another. 

Take misletoe, stale piss, -honey, and black soap ; infuse 
them together a day or two, and then warm them, and wash 
your horse all over for six days together ; and if the distemper 
is not got to too great a head, it will cure it. 

Another. 

Let him blood on both sides the neck, and give him this 
drink : 

Take a gallon of fair water, and put in it a good handful of 
rue, and a spoonful of hempseed, being first bruised together in 
a mortar, then boil them till half is consumed ; when it is cold 
give it him to drink, which, being repeated, will cure him. 

Another. 

Steep the regulus of antimony in ale, with a little of the 
spice called Grains of Paradise, and a little sugar ; of which 
give a horse about half a pint at a time, two or three times, 
with about a day or two's intermission between each, and it will 
cure him. 

To cure the Pole-Evil, and Swelled Neck from Bleeding. 

Take ointment of marshmallows, four ounces ; mercury sub- 
limate corrosive, in fine powder, half an ounce ; mix and apply 
it to the part. 

Cordial Balls for a Horse. 

Take anniseeds, cummin seeds, fenugreek seeds, carthamus 
seeds, grains of paradise, coltsfoot, turmerick, juniper berries, in 
fine powder, of each two ounces; flower of sulphur, elecampane 
powder, of each four ounces ; juice of liquorice dissolved on 
the fire in half a pint of white wine, six ounces ; chemical oil 
of anniseeds, one ounce ; honey, half a pound ; molasses, as 
much as sufficient to make it into a paste. 



84 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

To cure a Gangrene and Mortification. 

Take of St. John's wort, common wormwood, of each two 
handfuls ; centaury, camomile flowers of each one handful : 
bay berries, six ounces ; wood ashes, one pound ; boil these in 
six quarts of water to a gallon ; add to the strained decoction, 
spirit of wine, one quart ; camphire, one ounce, dissolved in 
spirit of turpentine, four ounces ; bathe the part with woolen 
cloths dipt in this fomentation, and apply the cloths hot to the 
part. 

To cure the Strangles. • 

Take sack, one pint ; venice treacle, diapente, of each one 
ounce ; saffron, two drains ; mix and give it to the horse. Thb 
is a very good cordial for any other disorder where a cordial 
is proper. 

Apply outwardly the following poidtice to the part : 
Take milk, one quart ; rye-flour, oatmeal, of each two hand- 
fuls ; boil them over a gentle fire till they be thick ; then add 
turpentine, four ounces, dissolved in the yolks of two or three 
eggs. 

To cure a Blood Spavin. 

Take up the vein above and below the swelling, then open 
the tumour in the middle. 

To cure a Quitter. 

Dress the soi e with powder of mercury sublimate. 

For a Rheum, or Deduction of Humours on the Eyes. 

Rowel the horse on both sides of his neck, and give him liver 
Of antimony. 

Mr. Thornton of Bloxam in Lincolnshire, his receipt to aire the 
Heat in tlie Horse's mouth. 

Bleed him in the roof of his mouth, and when he has champt 
five or six minutes upon his blood, wash his mouth with white 
wine vinegar and salt ; and after that rub it with syrup of black- 
berries ; repeat this unction of syrup two or three days, two or 
three times a-day. 



€URE OF HORSES. 3S 

Balls to cure the Grease. 

Take liver of antimony, giim guaiacum-fenugreek seeds, and 
-parsley-seerls, of each four ounces powdered fine ; molasses, as 
much as is suiticient to make it into a paste ; give the horse the 
quantity of a hen's egg every other morning, and exercise him 
well after it, and give him warm water the days he takes them. 

For ilie Canlcer. 

Take red sage one handful ; honey, four ounces ; boil them 
in one pint of vinegar ; then strain it, and add alum, white vit- 
riol powdered, of each half an ounce ; bole ammoniac, one ounce^ 
and apply it to the part cold. 

j Mr. Nicholson's Receipt for Botches or Imposthumations on a Horse. 

Take barley-meal, and as much southern wood dried and 
beat to powder ; mix these together with yolks of eggs, till it 
becomes a salve ; then lay it on the swelling, which it will rip- 
en, break, and heal. 

To heal a wound in a Horse, from Portman Seymour, Esq. 

There is nothing better to heal a wound in a horse, than tal- 
low and turpentine mixed together. 

For a Lax or Flux in Horses, communicated ly Sir John Pack* 
ington. 

Take a quart of strong beer, -and boil in it half a dram of the 
shells or coverings of the pomegranate fruit, well dried and 
beat to powder ; to this you may add half an ounce of dill seed., 
and as much fenugreek seeds ; pass this through a sieve, and 
give the dose warm to the horse. 

For the Glanders, to carry them off. By General Seymour. 

Take a quart of old strong beer, cut a quarter of a pound of 
figs into it, with two ounces of liquorice, sliced ; boil them to- 
gether, and add a dram of flower of ginger, and the same quan- 
tity of elecampane and pepper, well powdered 5 when they are 
well boiled, put in a quarter of a pound of treacle, and as 
much fresh butter, with the yolks of two eggs, mixing all weB 
together ; give this to the horse warm, and keep him warm* 



36 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

Lord Orrery's receipt for a Strangury in a Horse. 

Take half an ounce of anni seeds, beaten fine in a marble 
mortar; one handful of parsley-roots, or in lieu of them, half on 
ounce of parsley-seeds powdered ; boil these in a quart of old 
Strong beer ; and when it is strained off, put to it a dram of fine 
oyster-shell powder, and give the mixture to your horse warm. 

Sir J. Packingtows receipt for a Dropsy in a Horse. 

Bleed your horse in the neck vehij and anoint his fore legs 
with train oil; then turn him to grass, having first given him the 
following dose. 

A gallon of strong old beer, set over the fire till the scum ris- 
es; take thai off, and then add an handful *of wormwood with 
the stalks, and boil it to a quart ; then strain it and mix with it 
three ounces of treacle, and put to it an ounce and a half of 
long pepper, or grains of paradise, finely powdered ; mix these 
till the composition is warm, and give it him for a dose. 

A Drink to Dissolve and bring away the Glanders. 

Take of sack one quart, or, for want thereof, strong beer ; 
figs four ounces, well shced ; and two ounces of sliced liquorice ; 
boil them well together ; then put in ginger in powder, elecam- 
pane and pepper in powder, of each one dram : when it is 
boiled enough, put m of treacle five ounces, and of butter the 
same quantity, and the yolks of two new laid eggs beat well to- 
gether ; give it the horse lukewarm, and order him as needful. 

A drink to bring away the Glandfts, when other drinks hate rot- 
ted them and broughfinem to Suppuration. 

Take the best white wine-vinegar, and the sharpest, put in it 
three whole eggs, let them lie twenty-four hours ; then beat 
them well together, sheds and all, and give it the horse : You 
may co so two or three mornings, more or less, as you find oc- 
casion ; and this will clear oil' the glanders. 

An ointment for a strain in the Coffin-Joint. 

Take ofho/s lard, bole ammoniac, black soap, and new oil, of 
each four ounces, put them all into a skillet; let the bole be m 
fine powder; boil them together a little while, keeping it stirring 
all the time ; put it in a gallipot for use : and when you use it, 
rub it in well with your hand, and then beat it with a red hot 
bar of iron; and thus do once a dav till you find amendment. 



CURE OF HORSES. 37 

A charge for the same. 

Take of black pitch, burgundy pitch, and common turpentine, 
of each two ounces, mix them together ; and when all is melt- 
fed and incorporated, lay it on with a spatula round the joint, as 
hot as the horse can well bear it ; clap on stocks all over it 
while it is hot ; and when this peals off lay on another, if there 
should be occasion. 

A remedy for an Horse that has hrolce his leg. 

First of all set the bone together right in its place ; then take 
the best bole ammoniac, finely powdered, and the whites of 
three new-laid eggs, mix them well together ; then take fine tow 
and spread it smooth upon it a little broader than the wound, 
lay it round : and then take four splinters, and splint it indiffer- 
ent tight, and so let it lie on nine days (if it do well) before you 
remove it. 

To cure a Horse that has a Running of the Reins. 

Take of common turpentine, one pound ; put to it as much 
of bole ammoniac and liquorice, both in fine powder, with as 
much wheat flour as will make it up in a stiff paste. When 
you have occasion to use it, roll it out between your hands ; 
and break off from it a piece of the bigness of a small wash- 
ball, and give the horse three of them morning and evening up- 
on the end of a stick, or m a hornful or two of strong beer, till 
you find the flux of seed stopped, which will be in a week or 
fortnight's time at farthest : but it will be very convenient to 
purge him very well, and cleanse his body first of all, before 
you give him either of these medicines ; which will not only 
expedite and hasten, but perfect the cure so much sooner and 
better. ' 



To cure tlie Mad Staggers in a Horse. 

The signs of this disease are these : he will foam white foam 
at the mouth, and will seem dull-headed ; and at that time you 
will see a blue film over his eyes $ and he will wander much up 
and down. 

Be sure to bleed him in both his neck veins, within one or 
two days after he complains ; and in the third, furrow in the 
palate of his mouth with the point of your cornet horn ; you 
may likewise run an awl into the gristles of his nose, something 
above his nostrils ; the bleeding of the mouth and nose will ease 
the pain in the head : then take an handful of rue or herb grassy 



SS 11ECEIPTS FOR THE 

three cloves of garlic ; of salt and vinegar, each one spoonful ; 
of aqua vita?, two spoonfuls ; bruise all these well together, and 
it the one half into one ear, and the other half into the 
other, with a little wool after it : then tie or stich up with a 
needle and thread the ear fast with two list garters ; presently 
after which* fume him at his nostrils through a funnel, with gar- 
lic heat in a mortar, with mastich and frankincense mixed to- 
gether ; of these make pellets as big as a bullet ; lay them on a 
chafing dish of coals, and the smoke will go up through the fun- 
nel into the head, and much comfort and cleanse the brain : 
fume his head three times a-day till you find him mend ; then 
give him the water of white poppies (which you may have at an 
apothecary's) at each nostril a spoonful and a half; it will cause 
him to sleep. Let him stand in a warm dark place, where he 
may see no light. Let him have oats and mashes of ground 
malt, and let his drink be cold water. 

To cure the Quitter Bone. 

The quitter bone grows above the top of the hoof on the 
hinder foot, and sometimes on the instep, just above the hoof on 
liie side of the foot. 

First, take up the vein in the small of the leg : if it be on the 
inside of the leg above the hoof, take up the vein on the inside 
of the leg : If it be on the outside, then take up the vein on the 
outside. After you have taken up the vein let him bleed well, 
and put into the wound some butter and salt : then with a little 
tow or hurds, or a linen cloth wound about the end of your in- 
strument, search the quitter bone to the bottom: and where you 
perceive the matter to come out, there put in your instrument. 
When you have searched the wound, and made it clean, put in- 
to it some powder of mercury sublimate ; then lay a little tow 
upon the top, with a linen cloth next, and a woolen cloth over 
all, tied fast that it may not come oft'; which repeat once a-day 
till the core of the quitter bone is removed ; which when you 
see, make this medicine to heal it up : take of honey one ounce, 
put it into a pipkin ; and when it begins to be hot, put in of 
verdigrease in fine powder two drams, and three or four spoon- 
fuls of white wine vinegar : boil them together for half an hour; 
<hen take it off the fire, and when it is cold, take a little fine tow 
and dip it into it, and put it into the wound, and lay a little dry 
tow, or hurds over that, and a linen cloth over them ; bind them 
on with a string, and so dress it once a-day till you see it begins 
to heal, then dress it but once in two days. 

To take away any Rheum from a horse's Eye, and to clear it. 

Take fresh butter and salt, of each a like quantity ; mix them 
well together, and take about the bigness of a small walnut, and 



CUBE OF HORSES. 3$ 

put it into the horse's ear, on that side that the rheum is on ; 
and if the rheum be in both eyes, put it into both ears, and it will 
dry up the rheum, and clear his eyes ; but observe, you must 
sew up his ears close, or else he will shake it out. 

To cure a bite or Stroke in a Horse's Eye. 

Take of honey, ginger in a very subtile powder, a»d the juice 
of celandine, of each a like quantity ; mix them well together, 
and put it into his eyes with a feather twice a-day. 

For the Eye-lids, of a Horse that are swelled, and the inside turned' 
outwards. 

If you should meet with a horse whose eye-lids are so swelled 
that the insides of them are turned outwards very red, and as it 
were, full of blisters, and yet the ball of the eye sound and good j 
keep him very warm with a. hood of linen cloth upon his head ;. 
and then anoint his eyes twice a-day with white sugar candy,. 
honey, and white rose water ; and in two or three days time 
they will turn into their places again : then bleed him well in 
the neck ; for it is bad blood and cold rheum, which is the chief 
occasion of this distemper being settled in the head. Do not 
dip or meddle with the blistered bladders, or any part of the 
eye, lest you should put out his eyes, or endanger his life, or at 
least cause your horse to be blear eyed. 

To cure the Splent, Spavin? Curb, or any Hard Swelling* 

Take nerve ointment, four ounces ; mercury sublimate cor- 
rosive, in fine powder, half an ounce ; camphire, two drams dis- 
solved in oil ; of origanum, half an ounce ; mix and apply it to 
the part every other day. 

For the curb, you must leave out the mercury sublimate, and 
apply it every day. 

To cure a dry husky Cough, which causes the Horse to cast the filth 
and corruption at his Nostrils. 

Take a head of garlic, and peal every clove very clean ; then 
put them into a linen cloth, and boil them in a quart of milk, till, 
the garlic becomes tender ; take it off", and strain it till you have 
squeezed the garlic hard, and the juice out ; Set it a cooling, 
then put to it honey, molasses, of each half a pound, and give it 
him blood warm. 



40 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

Balls for the icorst of Colds in Horses. 

Take a quarter of an ounce of cloves, one ounce of the flow- 
ers of rosemary powdered, white tartar, seeds of fenugreek, <Iia- 
pente, syrup of coltsfoot, honey, of each two ounces ; wheat 
flour as much as is sufficient to make them into a paste; give 
one of them in a morning fasting x and ride him after it. 

To cure tlie bloody Flux, or Pissing of Blood. 

Take three pints of new milk, and boil in it. over a gentle fire, 
five ounces of isinglass, which, when it is dissolved, will so thick* 
en the milk that it will look like cream ; then strain it through 
a sieve, to take out the dross of the isingbiss that will remain tin- 
dissolved, and give it to your horse lukewarm in the morning 
fasiing : and at twice or thrice giving, it will cure him. 

To cause a Horse to Stale or Piss Freely. 

Take the bigness of a large walnut of castile soap, dissolve it 
in a quart of warm beer, with two ounces of bruised parsley- 
seed ; give it him, and ride him moderately after it, then set 
him up warm. 

To cure the Vives in a Horse. 

Take black pepper in fine powder, one ounce ; hog's lard a 
spoonful : the juice of an handful of rue, and two spoonfuls of 
vinegar ; mix them well together, and put some into each of the 
horse's ears, and so tie or stich them close ; then let him blood 
in the neck and temple veins. 

A Drench for a Horse that has the Megrim. 

Take of the tops of rosemary, about three ounces, and chop 
them small ; then take a quarter of a pound of sweet butter, 
and work them with it ; then break it in pieces, and roll it into 
several balls as big as wahiuts. 

Then holding up the horse's head, put them gently down his 
throat, and ride the horse easily about half an hour to make 
the medicine work. This is good for a horse in flesh. 

After you have given him a gentle sweat, the balls will clear 
his stomach and bowels, and at the same time help the head. 

This must be given to the horse early in the morning fast- 
ing. 



CURE OF HORSES. 41 

i 

Of the Coifs Evil, or Sliedding of the Seed- 

For the colt-evil, take the powder of anniseeds, and the leaves 
©f betony, equally proportioned ; stamp them with white wine 
till they come to a thin paste ; with which mixture anoint the 
sore, and it will cure that imperfection in the yard. 

But if the horse shed his seed, then take Venice turpentine aud 
sugar mixed together, and give him every morning a ball until 
the flux is stopped : if you add a little of the inner bark of oak, 
it is veiy good ; or the powder of an acorn is still better. This 
distemper commonly happens in August, and when it is very hot 
weather, in May. 

For tlie bladder in a Horse's Mouth. 

The cure is to open them with a lancet ; and then pressing 
©ut the corruption, wash the sore place three or four times a- 
day with warm alum water, in which some red sage and a little 
honey has been boiled. 

Of the Bloody Rifts in the Palate of the Mouth. 

First wash the sore place with vinegar and salt till it be raw ; 
then take honey, well mixed with the powder of jett, and rub it 
upon the sore, and it will soon heal it ; or else boil an handful of 
the inner bark of elm in a pint and a half of spring-water, till 
it comes to half the quantity, adding then a little honey to the 
decoction ; and use it warm twice or thrice a day. 

To cure the Chords in a Horse. 

Take pf diapente, half an ounce ; powder of anniseeds, one 
ounce ; saffron powdered, half a dram ; honey, an ounce and 
half; fresh butter, two ounces ; strong beer, one pint and half; 
the sharpest vinegar, half a pint ; heat these and mix them over 
the fire till the butter and honey are melted ; then take the 
mixture and give it the horse milk warm fasting. 

After which walk him till he is warm, then set him up, and 
tie him upon the bit five or six hours ; clothe and litter him up 
warm, and after that give him a little hay, and then a mash ; 
but no water of any sort that night. 

The next day, in the morning, give him another mash ; and. 
about nine or ten o'clock warm water and bran ; and continue 
this practice for four or five days. Then cut him, and in that 
operation, observe that he must be cut at the very bottom 01" 
the breast, where you see the vein ; under which vein lies the 
great sinew. When you see where the veisa lies, draw the skin 
6 



42 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

aside which lies over the vein, and cut that part of the skin an 
inch or more just upon the vein : then with your cornet-horn's 
point make a little way, and you will see a blue film lie over 
the vein ; chafe that with your cornet to pieces, till you come 
to see the clear vein, and then with your cornet-horn draw the 
vein aside with one hand, and put the point of your cornet un- 
der the sinew, and with it raise the sinew above the skin, cut- 
ting it immediately quite asunder and then let it go. 

Then put a little butter and salt into the wound, and heal it 
up with common turpentine and tallow mixed together. 

Walk then the horse an hour at a time, twice a-day, for five 
or six days ; and if you find, that with the first drink the cold 
breaks at his nostrils, then give him the same drink again, at. 
three or four days distance between each drink, and order him 
as directed at first. 

To make Diapente. 

Take the roots of both aristolochias, fine myrrh, bay ber- 
ries, shavings of ivory, or hart's horn, and the roots of gentian, 
of each four ounces ; when they have been gently dried, make 
them into a fine powder, which must be kept in a glass bottle, 
and a diy place. 

For a Strain, 

Take of hog's lard, nerve oil, bole ammoniac and castile soap, 
of each one pound ; boil them well together, keeping them stir- 
ing till the composition is cold ; keep it in a pipkin for your 
use : and when you have occasion, anoint the place afiected with 
this unguent warm, rubbing it well in. 

Of Pissing Blood, and the Remedy. 

This distemper comes from some strain ; whenever you find 
it, bleed the horse, and give him some styptic liquor (which may 
be had at any apothecary's) about a large spoonful in a pint-, 
of warm strong beer, which will bring him to order. 

For a Pain in the Kidnies, or the Storiz. 

Take a handful of maidenhair and steep it for twelve hours 
in a quart of strong beer, und give it the horse to drink eve- 
ry morning till lie is well, adding to every draught about ten 
drops of spirit of turpentine. 



CURE OP HORSES. 4$ 

To cure the Spleen in Horses. 

Take agrimony, and boil one handful of it in the water which 
the horse is to drink mornings and evenings, chopping the 
leaves small when they are boiled ; then mix them well with 
fresh butter, to be made into balls ; of which give to the horse 
two or three at a time, in the manner of pills, with a horn 
of old strong beer after each ball. 

Ordering of Mares afther Foaling. 

As soon as your mare hath foaled, you should remove her 
into the best grass you have, which is fresh and unsoiled, to 
make her milk spring ; and if it be early in the year, take care 
that there be good shelter for her, and let her colt run with her 
most part of the summer following. 

For a Mare after Foaling, when She has a difficulty of Cleaning. 

If your mare has been difficult in foaling, or cannot cleanse 
after she has foaled, take a quart of old strong beer, and boil 
it in an handful of fennel, with a fourth part of the best oil of 
©live, and mix them well together. " Give this to the mare milk 
warm, by pouring it into her nostrils, and holding them up and 
stopping them close till she strain her whole body, and it will 
presently give her ease. 

Ordering a Colt after weaning. 

When you intend to wean your foals, you must take from 
them their dams over night, and drive them into some empty 
house where they may rest, and the mares be free from their 
noise. 

On the morning following, give to every foal fasting a sprig 
or two of spavin, rolled up in butter, and let him fast for two 
hours : then give him a little meat, as grass, hay or chaff, with 
some clear water ; and repeat this management three days suc- 
cessively ; when they will have forgot their dams ; then geld 
such colt foals as you intend to make geldings of; and after 
their swellings are past, put them with your other colt-foals in- 
to a pasture by themselves, and your fillies into another by 
themselves. These pastures should be large spacious pieces of 
ground, where they may rim till they are ready for the sad* 
die. 



44 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

To provoke Lust in Mares. 

If you have any particular opportunity of a fine stallion, 
when your mare is not naturlly disposed to receive him, or will 
not stand to be covered : in this case, to provoke hist in her, 
give her drink of clarified honey and new milk mixed together : 
and then with a bush of nettles pat her hinder parts, and im- 
mediately after offer her the horse, which she will receive. 

For the Cholic or Belly bound. 

Take of dill or fennel, a handful, or, in tbe room of the 
herbs, take an ounce of the seeds of either of them, with a 
quart of malt fresh ground, and boil them in the water you 
give your horse to drink ; but if he cannot dung, then you 
may boil in his water one handful of fenugreek, and it will loos- 
en his body, and bring him to order. 

Of diseases in Horse's Ears; and first of the Lave Ears, or hang- 
ing Ears. 

The hanging of his ears is called by some the lave ears ; 
and although it is not any pain to the horse, yet it is a dis- 
grace to see him in this appearance, and so disagreeable to eve- 
ry beholder, that it even hides and obscures all other virtues. 
It is an infirmity proceeding from nature ; and although few of 
our farriers either have endeavoured or known how to help it, 
yet such has been the care of others to know the true cause of 
it, that, by trying many conclusions, in the end they have hit 
upon a certain cure, and have lately helped many horses in 
that condition. The cure is this : take your horse's ears, and 
place them in such a manner as you would desire they shoidd 
stand, and then, with two little boards, three fingers broad, and 
I long strings fixed to them, bind the ears so fast in the 
places wherein they stand, that by no means or motion they 
may stir. 

Betwixt the head and the root of the ear, you will discover 
a great deal of wrinkled empty skin, which with your finger 
and thumb you must lift up, and then with a sharp pair of scis- 
sar§ clip away all the thin skin close to the head ; after which 
with a needle and silk you must stitch the two edges of the 
skin close together; and then with a salve made of turpen- 
tine, bees wax, deer's suet, and honey of each a like quantity, 
melted together, heal up the sore. Which done, take away 
the splints which supported the ears, and the ears will keep 
upright and in the same place as you set them. 



CURE OF HORSES. 45 

Of Cramps, or Convulsions of the Sinews or Muscles. 

Cramps, or convulsions of the sinews, are violent contrac- 
tions or drawings together of members, either throughout the 
whole body, or particularly in one member : they proceed ei- 
ther from causes natural, or causes accidental : if from natural 
causes, they either come from too great fulness or emptiness. 

When from fulness, they proceed from a surfeit of meat or 
drink, or the want of proper evacuation : when from emptiness 
they come from too much blood-letting, or too much purging, 
or too much labouring ; all which fill the hollowness of the sin- 
ews with cold windy vapours, which are the only great causes 
of convulsions. If they come from causes accidental, then it 
is from some received wound, where a sinew is but half cut 
asunder, or only pricked, which presently caiiseth a convul- 
sion over the whole body. The signs of the disease are :— 
The horse will carry his neck stiff, and not be able to stir it ; 
3hs back will rise up like the back of the camel, or like a bent 
bow; his crupper will shrink inward, his fore legs will stand 
close together, and his belly will be clung up to his back bone ; 
when he lies down he is not able to rise, especially from the 
weakness in his hinder limbs. 

This disease is frequent among horses, and the cure is this : 

First sweat him, either by burying him all, save the head, 
in a dunghill, or else by applying hot blankets doubled about 
each side of his heart and body ; then, after his sweat anoint 
all his body over with oil of petrolium, for it is much better 
than oil of bay, or oil of cypress. 

Then give him to drink the following liquor, viz. Take one 
dram of assafoetida, with anniseeds, seeds of fenugreek, and cum- 
min-seeds, of each half an ounce ; put these into, a quart of 
strong white wine, and add to the composition three or four 
large spoonfuls of oil of olive ; keeping him warm after the 
drink, and feeding him with good bean bread, and warm mash- 
es, made of ground malt and warm water, and his sinews will 
soon come to their former ability. 

But if the convulsion comes accidentally, as by the prick, or 
half cut of a sinew, then search for the wounded sinew, and 
with a pair of scissars clip it asunder, and the convulsion will 
cease : but if it be a cramp only and so but in one member, 
then if you do but chafe or rub the grieved part with a hard 
wisp or hay rope, the pain will cease. 

Of the Imposthume in the Ear. 

Take one handful of sorrel, and wrap it in a burdock leaf ; 
let this roast in hot embers till the sorrel is softened ; apply 



40 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

this as hot as possible to the imposthumated part within the 
ear, shifting it every day till it hath ripened and broke it. 

A Drench for a Horse that is feeble and faint, and frequently at- 
tended with a Coldness or Shivering. 

Take the leaves of cowslips, hyssop, hart's-tongue, and liver- 
wort, of each a handful chopt small ; add to these the roots of 
birthwort, gentian, elecampane dried, to which put some long 
pepper ; so that when they are beaten and powdered, there 
may be an equal quantity of each, i. e. as much of each sort as 
may fill a common spoon ; mix these well together, and put to 
them an ounce or two of common treacle, or else a spoonful of 
honey. 

Boil all these together in a quart of strong beer till the liquor 
is reduced to a pint, then strain it, and give it the horse milk- 
warm. 

This drink, as it will make the horse dry, will perhaps make 
him lose his appetite to eat ; but if you perceive this, give him 
a warm mash. 

You may repeat the drench two or three times, resting three 
days between each time, and must keep the horse in a warm 
stable on the days he has taken the drench. 

For the Yellows. 

Take of diapente an ounce, put it into a skillet with a pint 
and a half of mild beer ; then set it on the fire, and let it just 
boil : then take it off the fire, and put to it four ounces of com- 
mon treacle, and two ounces of butter; stir them well together 
and give it your horse blood-warm in a horn, walking him a 
while after it j and set him in a warm stable. 

AnotJier for the same, more comfortable. 

Take of diapente an ounce and a half, put it into a skillet, 
with a pint and a half of white wine ; set it on the fire, and let 
it just boil ; then take it off the fire, and dissolve it in one ounce 
of London treacle, and two ounces of butter ; stir them well to- 
gether, and give it the horse as before, keeping liim warm as ra 
taking physic. 



47 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 



Since the prospectus was issued for publishing this edition;, 
the publisher has received several articles of information rela- 
tive to the cure of horses, which, from the assurances of those 
friends who furnished them, he is induced to believe will be 
found useful. These being original discoveries adapted to our 
own country, are presented here, by themselves, or by way of 
an appendix, to the receipts for the cure of horses. 

The Heaves, and Yellow Water. 

SYMPTOMS. 

If the hair of a horse's mane and tail sheds, or draws out 
with ease, it is a sure indication that the animal is afflicted with 
one or both of those diseases, which have hitherto been consid- 
ered as incurable, and for which the English books do not even 
attempt to prescribe a remedy. The ease with which the hair 
draws out or falls, denotes the stage of the disease and if it has 
progressed to an alarming degree, the following remedy must be 
immediately administered, which has never yet failed to effect 
a cure : — 

Take of the barks of white ash, wild cherry tree, swamp ap- 
ple, Basswood, and black-birch, red raspberry bushes (the kind? 
without briars) and mullen leaves, an equal quantity of each r 
boil them (in as much water as will cover them) until the 
strength is all extracted, so as to make a strong liquor, and give 
the horse a quart a day for two or three weeks, taking care to-* 
keep him warm clothed and that he does not take cold ; nurse 
him carefully, and let the water he drinks be blood warm, and^ 
the cure is certain. 

Cure for th& Yellow-Water. 

Take a table spoonful of pulverized sulphur, a table spoonful 
of Gum Aloes, a table spoonful of Antimony (pulverized) and a. 
table spoonful of Jesuit's bark ; mix the whole up with as much 
molasses as will make a paste stiff enough to make a ball about 
the size of a hen's egg, which give to the horse and it will cure 
him, if you take good care that he does not take cold, nor 
drinks water very cold* 



4S RECEIPTS FOR THE 

Cure for the Bols. 

Take a quarter of an ounce of red preciptate mix it up in two 
or three ounces of hog's lard, or fresh butter that has not been 
salted at all, and give the whole at one dose. 

Another. 

If the bots have not eaten quite through the maw — take one 
gill of soft soap, two gills of vinegar, two table spoonfuls of blue 
dye (out of a common dye-tub, such as every farmer keeps in 
his house) which put into a phial, and keep it perfectly still un- 
til vou are ready to give it to the horse, then pour it down at 
once. If the bots have not eaten through the maw, this is 
proved by experience to be an effectual cure. If they have, 
there is, of course, no cure, as every body knows. This is al- 
so a cure for the belly ache, as it expels the wind, by which it 
is occasioned. 

A cure for the Glanders. 

To effect the cure of the glanders, the receipt is as follows : 
Take of pulverized alum, and ginger, each a spoonful, togeth- 
er with as much honey as the horse will eat with his feed, and 
continue the use of the same twice a day until the cure is effect- 
ed, which will commonly be in about two weeks. The above, 
I believe, may be relied on, as several cases have occurred in 
this neighbourhood, in which a complete cure has been effected. 

To keep Flies from Horses. 

Take two or three handfuls of walnut leaves — let them soak 
in two or three quarts of water a couple of hours, and then 
boil them in the same water, till the strength is completely ex- 
tracted from them, and when the liquor is cold, strain it off, 
bottle it, cork it tight and lay it by for use. When the season 
comes for using it, rub the horse all over with it early in the 
morning, and it will effectually prevent the flies from troubling 
or biting him. Repeat this as often as required. This liquid 
emits no bad smell, and will not soil your clothes, if you should 
have occasion to ride the horse. 

Cure for a Strain. 

Take of elder bark, sumac bark, and mullen, each an equal 
quantity, (as much as the vessel you intend to boil it in will 
hold) then fill the pot or vessel with spring or rain water, and 



ON SHOEING HORSES. 43 

boil it till all the strength is extracted from the ingredients^ 
which will make a strong liquor : strain it off, and bathe the 
part affected with the liquor as hot as the horse can bear it, 
twice a day, for three or four days, and the cure will be per- 
fect. 



ON SHOEING HORSES, 

Having, in the foregoing pages, given all the information 
which our limits will admit, relative to the defects and diseases, 
most common amongst horses, and the cures for them, it may 
not be improper to close with a few brief remarks, on the very 
important subject of Shoeing, which we extract from a valuable 
treatise on the Veterinary art, lately published in England, by 
James White, veterinary surgeon to the first corps of Royal 
Dragoons. 

" If we examine the Feet of a hundred Colts, it will be found 
that more than ninety of them are of the same form. It is 
true that some may have grown more luxuriantly than others, 
whereby the Crust will be deeper, and the bottom part may 
have been partially broken, so as to give the Foot a ragged and 
uneven appearance, still the essential shape is the same, and 
when this superfluous horn has been removed, it will be found 
that the bottom of the Foot will be nearly circular, the sole 
concave, the Bars distinct, the Frog and Heels open and ex- 
panded. 

In preparing a Horse's Foot for the Shoe, the lower part is to 
be reduced, so when luxuriant, which is generally the case, more 
particularly at the Toe, and this is to be done by means of *i 
buttress or rasp : the loose scaly parts of the Sole are likewise 
to be removed, so as to preserve its concavity, and a small cavity 
is to be made with a drawing knife, between the Bar and Crust, 
to prevent the shoe from pressing on that part, and occasion- 
ing corns ; it is however necessary in doing this, to take par- 
ticular care that the connection between the Bar and Crust is 
not destroyed or weakened, which would of course render the 
Bar useless. 

The junction of the Bar and Crust affords a firm bearing for 
the Heel of the Shoe, and is to be rasped perfectly flat, aud so 
low as to be exactly on a level with the Frog, that they may 
bear equally on a plane surface, before the Shoe is applied ; in- 
deed, the whole of the bottom of the Crust is to be made per- 
fectly flat and even at the same time with the rasp, that the 
Shoe may bear equally on every part of it. Farriers should 
-7 



SO ON SHOEING HORSE 3. 

never be allowed to do this by means of a hot Shoe, which fe 
too frequently the case. If any ragged parts are observed in 
the Frog, they are to be carefully removed with a kni'e, for, 
if suffered to remain, they might aiibid a lodgement for dirt 
and gravel. — Tims do we prepare a Foot for the Shoe, and to 
a foot of this description, I mean one that is sound and perfect, 
or that has not suffered any material alteration in its form 
from improper shoeing. 

The Toe of the Shoe, for a middle sized Horse, is about an 
inch in width, and half an inch in depth or thickness ; the Heels 
about half an inch in width, and three eighths in depth. The 
wearing part of the Toe is to be made of steel, and it may be 
observed that the nails are brought very near to the Toe, but 
not quite round it; for when that is done, there must also be a 
groove made, which considerably weakens that part, and almost 
all Horses wear principally at the Toe. Both surfaces of the 
Shoe are perfectly flat, and the Heel of the Shoe rests upon 
the junction of the Bar and Crust, beyond which it should 
never extend. 

It will be supposed, perhaps, that a Shoe which is flat on that 
surface next the Foot, will be apt to produce lameness by 
pressing on the Sole ; but let it be recollected, that this Shoe is 
recommended only for a sound Foot, in which the Sole is al- 
ways a little concave, so that it cannot possibly receive any 
pressure from a flat Shoe : it may be said also, that when the 
nails are placed so far from the Heels the Shoe will not lie 
sufficiently secure, and will be frequently loosened ; but as the 
Shoe bears equally on every part of the Crust, this objection 
cannot have any weight. It must be granted, however, that 
when a Foot is pared in the common way, that is when the 
Heels have been opened, and the Shoe so applied, that nearly 
an inch of the Heel has no bearing upon the Crust ; that if the 
nails were placed so far from the Heels, as I have recommend- 
ed, the Shoe would be very insecure ; for as much of it as had 
no bearing upon the Crust would operate occasionally «is a lev- 
er in raising the nails, and consequently the Shoe would fre- 
quently be loosened. Farriers therefore find it necessary, when 
the Foot has been thus pared, aud the Shoe applied in this 
way, to place the nails ia the quarters, by which the Shoe is 
certainly rendered more secure than it would be had they been 
placed nearer the Toe. 

Many disadvantages, however, attend this method. In the 
first place, by placing the nails in the Quarters, they prove a 
considerable obstacle to the expansion of the Heels, and as the 
Crust is generally much thinner at the Quarters than at the 
Toe, the sensible parts are more liable to be wounded ; but 
this does not apply to the hind Feet, in which the Crust of the 
Quarters is generally thicker than that of the Toe. When a 



ON SHOEING HORSES. 5} 

Horse over-reaches, if any part of the Shoe lias no bearing up~ 
on the Crust, it is very liable to be struck by the Toe of the 
hind Foot, and Shoes are often forced off in this way ; to this 
may be added, the insecurity of such a Shoe when a Horse is 
rode on a deep or heavy ground. 

It will probably be observed of the Shoe which I have re- 
commended, that it is inconsistent with the principle which has 
been laid down respecting the necessity of the Frog's receiving 
pressure. I believe it is an incontrovertible fact, that unless the 
Frog receives a certain degree of pressure, it will become soft 
and incapable of affording sufficient protection to the sensible 
Frog which it covers ; that the Heels will gradually contract, 
and the natural form of the Foot will be destroyed, for I have 
proved by experiment, that the Bars alone, are not sufficient 
to prevent contraction, though they certainly oppose it with 
considerable force ; but it does not* follow from this, that it is 
necessary for tbe pressure to be constant, nor do I believe that 
a Shoe which allows the Frog to bear upon the ground, when 
he stands upon a plain hard surface, can be always applied,, 
even to sound Feet, without inconvenience. There can be no 
doubt, that a Horse in a state of Nature has his Frog almost al- 
ways in contact with the ground, and then of course he feels 
no inconvenience from it ; but when burthens ,are placed upon, 
his back, and he is driven about upon hard roads, he is certain- 
ly in very different circumstances, and if the Frog in such ca- 
ses were constantly exposed to this severe pressure, it would, 
sometimes, I believe, occasion lameness. 

To a Horse that travels or works regularly, and is occasion- 
ally taken upon soft ground, I believe the pressure the Frog re- 
ceives in this way, is quite sufficient to preserve the Foot in a 
state of health ; but when a Horse is kept almost constantly in 
the stable, standing upon hot litter,, particularly in hot and dry 
weather, his feet will certainly be undergoing an alteration in 
their form, and will be in a progressive state towards disease. 

In those cases, however, contraction of the Hoof may be 
effectually prevented by means of the Patent Artificial Frog ? 
invented by Mr. Coleman.* By this ingenious contrivance a 
Horse's Frog may receive sufficient pressure, in whatever cir- 
cumstances he may be placed to prevent contraction, and keep 
the Foot sound and healthy, without the inconvenience of 
wearing thin heeled shoes; but it must be remembered that 
whenever the Frog is much exposed to pressure, whether.it be 
by applying the Patent Frog, or by the thin heeled Shoe, and 
reducing the Crust at the heels, it is necessary the Quarters 
and Heels should possess a proper degree of pliancy ; if they 
are rigid and inflexible, it is evident that the sensible Frog 

• Pi efessor of the Veterinary College. 



52 ON SHOEING HORSES. 

and Cartilages would be placed between two fixed points, and 
they would consequently be bruised and inflamed. I have in- 
deed seen several cases of lameness produced in this way ; 
whenever the Hoof, therefore, appears to be too dry and strong, 
or to have lost its natural elasticity, it is necessary to rasp the 
Quarters and keep the whole Hoof moist, either by applying 
several folds of flannel round the Coronet, constantly wetted, 
or by making the Horse stand in soft clay four or five hours 
during the clay ; by these means the natural flexibility of the 
horn would be restored, and the Heels and Quarters yield in a 
small degree, whenever the Horse's weight was thrown upon the 
Frog. 

It will be proper to observe that when a Horse, even with a 
sound Foot, has worn Shoes that are very thick, or turned up at 
the Heels, particularly if at the same time the Crust at the 
Heels has been suffered to grow so high that the Frog is kept 
at a considerable distance from the ground, it would be very im- 
proper to reduce the Heels suddenly so as to allow the Frog to 
receive pressure ; the back Sinews would in that case be injur- 
ed, and lameness might ensue. In Feet of this description it is 
necessary to remove from the Toe all that can be done without 
exposing the part too much, and to lower the Heels gradually ; 
the Toe of the Shoe should be made rather thin, and of the 
best steel. 

The Shoes for Draught Horses should be made flat on both 
surfaces, provided the Sole is of a proper form and thickness, 
but if flat or convex, and consequently too thin, which is often 
the case in Horses of this description, the internal surface of 
the Shoe must be concave ; still the external surface should be 
flat, for the convex Shoe, which is commonly used for Draught 
horses, prevents them from treading securely, and renders them 
incapable of exerting the whole of their strength." 



63 

OBSERVATIONS AND RECEIPTS 

FOR THE 

CURE OF MOST COMMON DISTEMPERS 

INCIDENT TO 

OXEN, COWS, AND CALVES. 

When you go to buy cattle, whether for the stall, the draught, 
or the pail, always take the youngest, rather than those that are 
old and barren. And though some cattle are chosen by their 
strength, and some by the greatness of their bodies ; yet the 
best have commonly these properties ; large, well knit, and 
sound limbs; a long, large, and deep sided body, white horned, 
broad forehead, great eyes, and black ; the ears rough and 
hairy, the jaws large and wide, the lips blackish, the neck well 
brawned and thick, the shoulders broad ? the hide not hard or 
stubborn in feeling, the belly deep, the legs well set, full of sin^ 
ews, and straight, rather short than long, the better to sustain 
the weight of their body ; the knees straight and great ; the feet, 
one far from another, not broad, nor turning in, but easily 
spreading ; the hair of all their body thick and short, their tail 
long and big haired. 

All country people know the benefit and advantages arising 
from keeping of oxen, cows, and calves ; and therefore we shall 
here only lay down some necessary observations and receipts 
for the cure of such distempers as they are liable to. 

A general drink either for Ox, Cow, or Calf, that i§ ill. 

Take three or four garlic heads, a quart of new milk, three 
spoonfuls of tar, and two spoonfuls of sweet oil j infuse them 
for some time, and give it at one dose, 

A cure for the Murrain, or Plague among cattle. 

Take of the herb of angelica one handful, of rue the same 
quantity ; chop them together ; then take of tar half a pint ; of 
soap four ounces ; and salt half an handful ; make it into an 
electuary, and give it to every beast in the quantity of a $maS 
egg, rubbing their noses with tar. 



54 KE6EIPTS 1 OK THE 

Of t/*e loss of appetite in cows and oxen. 

You may perceive this when cattle of this sort do not chew 
the cud, which is occasioned through the want of digestion, thev 
then forbear their meat, and do not lick themselves as usual ; 
their eyes are dull, and they have frequent belchings. To cure 
this, or restore them to their appetite, use the following medi- 
cine, via. Take of rue and pellitory of Spain, of each one 
handful ; of featherfew, horehound, red sage, and bay-salt, of 
each a like quantity ; put these ingredients into five" pints of 
ale-wort, and boil them for a short space ; and then, straining 
off the liquor, give about a pint at a time, milk-warm, to each 
beast every morning, not suffering them to drink till the after- 
jaoon. 

The neglecting of this distemper will occasion the beast to be 
violently pained, which one may perceive by its suddenly start- 
ing from one place to another ; which when you perceive, there 
is no better remedy than to tie his tail close by the body as 
fright as possible, giving him then a pint of strong white wine, 
with half a pint of olive oil, driving him afterwards a mile or two 
as fast as you can get him along ; and after some little resting 
drive him yet a mile farther, which will occasion the medicine 
to operate. 

A remedy for a Cow that is back-strained, or has the running. 

Take comfrey, archangel, knot-grass, plantain, and shep- 
herd's purse, a handful of each ; boil these, tied up in bunches, 
in about five pints of ale-wort, or, for want of that, in middling 
beer, free from the yeast, till the liquor is strong of the herbs ; 
then add an ounce of anniseeds, and about a quarter of a 
pound of bole ammoniac finely powdered : when these have 
boiled again, put in about half a pound of treacle ; and when 
it is strained or passed through a sieve, give half tiie liquor to a 
cow in the morning, and the other half the morning following, 
not suffering her to drink till the afternoon. 

This distemper is not unlike the running of the reins in other 
creatures. 

Of the distemper called the Tail. 

The disease called the tail, is by some farmers called the wolf. 
This is discovered by a softness between some of the joints of 
the tail appearing as if the joints had been separated from one 
another, or some of the ligaments broken. 

You ought, particularly, where you are apprehensive of this 
case, with your finger and thumb to feel between every joint of 
the tail ; and where you find any division or openness between 



CURE ©F OXEN, &«. - m 

the bones, of any remarkable softness between the joints, to slit 
that part with a sharp knife lengthways, on the other side of the 
tail, about two inches, laying in the wound the following com- 
position : 

Sea or common salt, wood-soot and garlic, well beaten and 
mixed together, of each a like quantity ; binding them up with 
a bit of linen cloth. 

Of the Flux, or Lax, or Scour in Cattle. 

When a beast is troubled with this distemper, you may be 
sure he will lose his flesh more in a day, than he can recover 
in a week or ten days. The remedy is, in the first place, to 
keep them from drinking much : and, secondly, to give them 
little meat the first day : or, as some would have, ke ep them 
fasting for twelve hours at least. — There are several drinks 
which you may give them on this occasion, that have been ex- 
perienced to be extremely serviceable to them, such as the fol- 
lowing, viz. The stones of grapes or raisins beaten to powder, 
to the quantity of a quarter of an ounce, and boiled in a quart 
of strong ale or beer, may be given warm in a morning. 

For want of this, you may use as much of She inner bark of 
oak boiled with strong ale or beer wort, or strong malt-drink, free 
from yeast, strained after boiling, and giving them about a quart 
in a morning, being first sweetened with an ounce of coarse" su- 
gar well dried before the fire. Some choose to boil in this mix- 
ture a handful of wormwood, and an ounce of bole ammoniac. 

We have another receipt relating to the same case, which is 
likewise very successful, viz. 

Take rue, red sage, and roman wormwood if you can get it r 
or otherwise, our common wormwood may serve ; shred of 
each of these one handful, and boil them half an hour in ale- 
wort, or good drink free from yeast ; then put in four ounces of 
bole ammoniac, and about an ounce of the grains powdered,,, 
with a piece of butter without salt ; let these boil a little, and 
give half the quantity to a cow or bullock in the morning 
keeping them from water two or three hours afterwards ; and 
then, missing a day, give them the other half. 

Of the Cough in Cows and Bullocks. 

Some farmers, when they perceive this among their cattle 
rightly judge, that if not soon removed, it may prove of danger- 
ous consequence ; and, therefore, in the beginning, give them 
the following medicine, viz. 

A pint of barley-meal, the yolk of an egg, and two or three 
ounces ©f raisins, boiled ia a quart of ale-wort, and well mixed 



56 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

together, for them to take in the morning fasting ; always sup- 
posing that the grosser parts must be taken out of the draught 
before you give it to the cow or ox ; as the raisins in this case, 
for example. 

Another method, which is famous among the country people, 
is, to take a large handful of hyssop and boil it in water, after- 
wards straining the water from the hyssop, and mixing it either 
with wheat flour, or barley flour, and to give it the beast to 
drink. Or else, 

You may bod hyssop in ale-wort, about the same quantity, 
and give it a cow or an ox that has the cough, with good suc- 
cess. 

Sometimes these cattle, when they have the cough, will be 
led into a consumption of the lungs ; to prevent which, fetter 
them in the dewlap, and give them two ounces of the juice of 
leeks boiled in a quart of ale. 

In desperate cases, boil the seeds of fenugreek, of anise, and 
bay-berries, of each half an ounce ; and madder two ounces, in 
two quarts of good ale free from the yeast, till the liquor loses 
a fourth part. 

It must be noted, that the madder seeds must be well beaten 
and mixed together before you put them into the ale ; and af- 
ter the liquor is passed through a sieve, whilst it is yet warm, 
sweeten it with treacle, and give it in the morning. 

The Kibe in a Bullock, and its Cure. 

You may know when a cow or bullock has a fever, by the 
watering of their eyes, their heads will be heavy, their pulsa- 
tion quick, and their body much hotter than usual : moreover, 
you may observe a viscous liquid to fall from their mouths. 

The morning following let him blood in the tail j and an 
hour after, give him the following medicine, viz. 

Take one handful of the young stalks of cole-wort, if they 
are to be had ; or, for want of these, as much of cabbage 
leaves, or savoy leaves, or the leaves of curled worts : boil 
these in a quart or three pints of common water, with a little 
salt ; and after straining it off, add a little fresh butter, stirring 
it till it is entirely dissolved : an ounce of treacle may likewise 
be mixed with this medicine, and given milk warm for four or 
five mornings successively, while they are fasting. 

Some farmers and others boil the cole-wort stalks in small 
beer, which is judged to be even better than the water and salt. 

Others boil barley or malt in water, and then boil the cole- 
Avort stalks, and add butter and salt to tlie medicine. 



eURE OF OXEN, &c. 57 

Of the Stoppage of Urine in a Cow or Bulloch, and the Method of 
Cure* 

This distemper 1 is supposed to be the gravel in the kidneys 
when it first appears. 

We have frequently, in examining the kidneys of oxen and 
cows, met with rough stones in those parts, even to the number 
of an hundred, in one of them about the bigness of a wheat 
corn. 

But this gravel or stone, let us call it which Ave will, is some- 
times found in the bladders or urinary passages of these creatures, 
and then it is best to kill them at once ; for if you observe 
them two or three days without watering, you may know it is 
not in the kidneys alone. 

If the distemper should happen to be in the kidneys, as you 
may perceive by the cattle's difficulty of watering and groan- 
ing at that time, give them the following medicine, viz. 

Boil of parsley, smallage, or green celery, sassafras, alexan- 
ders, and rue, of each one handful, in about two quarts of old 
beer ; strain this off, then pass it through a sieve when it is 
strong of the herbs ; then put in of the liquorice sliced, anni- 
seed, cummin-seed, coriander-seed, and turmeric, of each an 
ounce ; and boiling them again in the liquor till it is strong of 
the last ingredients, add fresh butter and treacle to it, to the 
quantity of a quarter of a pound of each. 

This will serve for two mornings. 

JN . B. In this case some of the most curious will put in about 
a quarter of an ounce of fine oyster shell powder, or two or 
three drams of powder of crab's eyes. 

When the distemper is so far advanced that the very yard of 
a bullock is supposed to be stopped by gravel, it is advised by 
some of the farmers to cut them ; but it has been sometimes 
cased by putting a small wire up the penis like a catheter. 

The Kibe in a Bullock, and its cure. 

One receipt for a kibe, which has proved of very good use, is, 
first, to cut it with a sharp knife, and then to apply the follow- 
ing medicine with fine tow to the wound, viz. 

Take an ounce of verdigrease finely beaten and sifted ; work 
this into a salve with two ounces of fine soap, and dress the kibe 
with it. •< 

Of the Yellows in a Cow or Bulloch, which some call the Pantess. 

This distemper is called by some the gall in cattle, and may 
fee known by the running of the eyes, and a large quantity of 
; 8 • 



&8 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

yellow wax in their ears ; as also by a yellowness appearing 
under the upper lip. 

This distemper commonly proceeds from the cattle's eating 
some unwholesome food, or from poor diet. The remedy for it 
is as follows, viz. 

Take of wood-soot finely powdered, an ounce ; plantain and 
rue, of each a handful ; garlic, eight huge cloves stamped ; 
hempseed, an ounce ; or the tops of hemp, an handful ; boil 
these in three pints of fresh human urine, or as much old beer ; 
and when it has passed through a sieve, give about a quart of 
the liquor to a large bullock ; then rub his tongue and the roof 
of his mouth with salt, and chafe his back with human urine. 

When a Beast is disordered in his Lungs. 

THE REMEDY. 

You may perceive this distemper in a beast by the great 
weakness in his legs, so that he will hardly be able to stand, al- 
though he may seem fit and in good order for the butcher at 
the same time" The following medicine in this case may be us- 
ed, viz. 

Bruise eight cloves of garlic, and take one handful of worm- 
wood, with as much liverwort ; boil these gently in a quart of 
ale, free from the yeast, and passing the liquor through a sieve, 
add an ounce of madder finely powdered, half a dram of whole 
pepper, and about a dozen cloves ; which, as soon as they have 
boiled enough to give the liquor a pungency sufficient, clear 
them off, and sweeten it with two ounces of treackle, giving it 
to the cow or ox milk-warm. 

Of the Hide-bound ; or the distemper called the Gar gut, in Kine; 
From Mr. Shuttleworth of Essex. 

This distemper shews itself between the claws in cows or ox- 
en, by blistering there. 

To cure winch, you must first draw a hair fine between the 
claws, or hoofs, in the blistering part till it bleeds. 

You must then take a handful of the leaves of the plant cal- 
led Moth-mullein : boil this in a quart of milk, and give it the 
cow in a morning fasting ; or else boil it in ale, or ale-wort 
rather, because there ought to be no yeast. • 

Of the Gargyse. 

The distemper called the Gargyse is a swelling on one side of 
the eye, in manner of a boil, botch, or buboe. This is as dan- 



CURE OF OXEN, &c. 59 

gerous a distemper as any that can attend cattle. Out with a 
sharp penknife or lancet this swelling round about as deep as 
the skin, to prevent its falling into the muzzle of the beast, which 
will certainly happen, if not timely prevented by this method, 
and prove mortal. 

When you have opened the skin, as above directed, wash the 
wound with the following preparation, viz. 

Fresh human urine and salt must be gently simmered over a 
fire together, and when it is near cold, wash the swelling, and 
the part that has been cut with it, mornings and evenings, till 
the swelling abates ; at the same time giving the beast, every 
other morning, some flower of sulphur in warm ale, or ale- 
wort. 

When you dress this botch, or boil, have particular regard 
to scrape off, or clean the boil and the wounded part from the 
little blisters or pustules, even till you come to the quick, and 
the sore has quite ceased running. 

When the swelling is quite gone, anoint the wound and sore 
part with nerve oil and honey, boiled together, while the pre- 
paration is milk-warm, and it will soon heal. 

A general remedy for Cattle that Lower, or lose the Cud. 

Take a handful of the inner rind of elder, a handful of rue, 
and as much lungwort if it can easily be had, otherwise it may 
be let alone ; chop them small, and put them into three quarts 
of ale free from the yeast, or in as much ale-wort ; boil these 
till they are soft, then stir them ; then add half an ounce of 
long pepper, half an ounce of grains, half an ounce of liquor- 
ice, half an ounce of anniseeds, a quarter of an ounce of cum- 
minseed, an ounce of turmeric, and as much fenugreek -seeds, 
all well beaten, with a quarter of a pound of madder ; and 
while all these are boiling, take a large bowl dish, and put into 
it an handful of bay salt, twelve cloves of garlic, four new laid 
eggs, shells and all ; grind all these together with a wooden 
pestle, till they are well mixed with some of the liquor; then 
add the whole body of the decoction as hot as may be, letting the 
whole stand together till it is no warmer than milk from the cow, 
brewing it well together ; give the beast half the quantity to 
drink, while it is yet warm, two mornings successively, keeping 
the ox or cow warm that takes it, for four or five hours after, 
before you give them any water. 

For a Cow or Bullock, that is Clue-bound. 

istile soap, or what some call castle s< 
pound ; to this add treacle and butter, of each a like quantity y 



60 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

put these into three pints of soft water, wherein chalk has been 
infused, though some would recommend sfcmd-l.ee ; of either of 
these liquors take three quarts ; and when the whole is dissolv- 
ed and mixed, give Half the medicine to your cow or bullock in 
a morning, before they have drank, keeping them in a house till 
noon. Repeat this medicine two mornings. 

If yet the beast should be too much bound in his body, or the 
medicine should not happen to operate, give him some balls 
made of butter and rift-sand. 

For Oxen that are galled or bruised in the neck by the yoke. 

Take train oil, and grind it well with white lead, till it be- 
comes a salve ; with this anoint the grieved part, and it will 
presently heal the sore, and discharge the swelling. 

Of the Scab in cows or oxen. 

This distemper chiefly comes from poorness of diet, and is 
very infectious among cattle, spreading itself presently through 
a whole herd. It is sometimes occasioned by the want of water 
in summer time. 

The best way of curing it, is to make a strong decoction of 
tobacco stalks in human urine, and to wash the infected parts 
frequently with it ; at the same time giving the beast the follow- 
ing drink. 

Take of rue, angelica, of each a handful ; shred these herbs 
small, and boil them in three quarts of ale without yeast, or 
new wort, and add an ounce or two of the flower of sulpher, 
with butter and treacle, of each three ounces j giving it to the 
bullock at two mornings. 

When this distemper happens to any bullock, it will soon re- 
duce him to a leanness and poverty of flesh ; wherefore bleed 
him, and you may give him the following medicine, viz. 

Of old human urine a quart, in which mix a handful of hen's 
dung, or half a handful of pigeon's dung, and give it to fhejjeast 
to drink. 

Of tJie Husk in a bullock, fyc. 

Take hyssop, the smaller centaury, celandine, marshmallows, 
of each one handful ; boil these in ale free from the yeast, or in 
three quarts of ale-wort ; then add about three ounces of cow- 
spice, with treacle and butter, of each six ounces. This will 
make two doses ; to be given every other morning. 



CURE OF OXEN, &c. 61 

A drink for a bullock that has the Bloody Scour or the Bloody 
Flux. 

Take of elder buds, or elder flowers, a handful ; if the elder 
flowers are dry, take two ounces of them ; hyssop, mallows, and 
celandine, a handful of each. 

If the cow or bullock be large, boil these in five pints of old 
strong beer ; but if it be but for a small breed, boil these in 
three pints; to which add anniseeds and liquorice, of each about 
two ounces, more or less, as the bullock is larger or smaller, 
with treacle and butter, of each six ounces ; put to them madder 
powdered, about two ounces. 

When you give your beast this drink, keep him warm, and 
give warm mashes, in each of which about a quarter of an ounce 
of oak bark has been grated. 

While this distemper is upon him, do not suffer him by any 
means to drink cold water, but prevent his thirst by mashes on- 
ly. 

Of Imposthumes. 

When any botch or boil appears upon a bullock, take white 
lily roots, and boil them in a quart or three pints of milk till 
they are soft; then beat them with the milk, till they be- 
come a pulp, and lay them on hot to the grieved place, 
which will occasion it to become softer hy degrees, till it will be 
fit to open ; which some do with a hot iron, and others do with 
a penknife, washing well the part afterwards with brandy and 
water. 

To heal a wound of this kind, it is a common practice to use 
tar, turpentine, and oil, mixed together. 

For a Sinew Strain. 

When a beast is strained in his sinews, or it appears that his 
sinews are weak, take marshmallows and chickweed, of each a 
handful ; boil them in a quart of vinegar, adding three or four 
ounces of tallow ; or for want of vinegar, use the dregs of stale 
beer. 
■ With this mixture while it is very hot, bathe the grieved part. 

For an Inflammation in the lungs of a bullock. 

A cow or bullock troubled with this distemper will discover it 
by holding its head higher than conimon, and drawing its wmd 
with difficulty ; it will likewise be chiefly in a standing posture, 
without caring to lie down, and will groan very much. 



$g RECEIPTS FOR THE 

The cure is to bleed it in the neck, and then give it the follow- 
ing dose, viz. 

Take lungwort, celandine, and hyssop, of each an handful ; 
of the smaller centaury, dried, half an handful; elder flowers, 
dried, an ounce ; or for want of them, four ounces of elder tops ; 
boil these well together in a quart of ale-wort, or, in lieu of that 
m a quart of ale free from yeast ; then press the herbs and 
strain the liquor from them, putting at the same time to it an 
ounce and a half of cow-spice, or for want of that, anniseed, and 
fenugreek seeds, of each one ounce, with about an ounce and a 
half of liquorice sliced ; boil these together for a little while, 
and acid of butter and treacle, six ounces each, which will make 
a medicine to be given two successive mornings. 

The fettering of a bullock (in this distemper) in the dew-lap 
with hellebore has proved effectual. 

An Unguent for Cows and Bullocks that have, any sore or wound 
about them. 

Take hog's lard finely rendered, six ounces ; honey an ounce 
and a half; bees-wax and rosin, of each half an ounce; stir 
these over a gentle fire together till they melt. 

An Ointment for a Bullock or Cow that has a swelling attending 
any wound. 

Take of hog's lard, linseed oil, and red lead, of each three 
ounces. 

Melt the oil and hog's lard together ; then add the red lead, 
and stir it well off the fire till the composition is cold. 

This salve being warmed, and dissolved with a hot iron, may 
be rubbed upon the swollen part once a-day, and it will certain- 
ly take the swelling down. 

A Water for an old wound or sore in a Bullock or Cow. 

Take of white copperas, three ounces ; rock alum, one ounce 
and an half; bole ammoniac, six or seven ounces ; let these be 
finely pulverized and mixed together, putting them then in a 
glazed earthen vessel over the fire, and stir them for about fif- 
teen or eighteen minutes, till they seem to be well incorpora- 
ted. 

Take off then the mixture and let it cool ; after which, beat 
the composition in a marble mortar, till it is reduced to a fine 
powder. 

You must then boil three quarts of spring water, which should 
rather be that arising from a spring of chalk than any other : 
and closely cover it while it is boiling. 



CURE OF OXEN, &c. 6S 

After the water has boiled for five minutes, pour it hot into a 
clean vessel, and mix with it about three ounces of the powder,, 
stirring it well as soon as the powder is put in it. 

In two or three days this water will be well settled, and then 
alter it, and preserve the clear liquor, in a bottle well stopped, 

When you have occasion to use this water make it as hot as 
it can be endured upon the affected place, dipping a linen rag 
into it, and applying that to the wound ; which may be repeat- 
ed at least twice, if not three times, the first day, and afterwards 
bind upon the sore a piece of linen cloth well soaked in the said 
water. 

If the wound happens to be deep, even though there may be 
a fistula, force in some of this water warm with a syringe, and 
it will even cure this distemper. 

An Ointment for a green wound in a Bullock or, Cow. 

The ointment of tobacco is of excellent use on this occasion^, 
and is even good if any of the sinews are hurt ; therefore a 
farmer who keeps a great number of cattle, should not be with- 
out it, no more than oil of turpentine. 

Bees-wax, rosin, fresh butter, or hog's lard, with turpentine 
also, make an excellent plaster for fresh wounds in cattle ; and 
it is remarkable, that upon the application of this ointment, no 
flies or insects can come near the wound. 

Of the Haw, or other diseases in the eyes of cattle which occasion 
weeping or inflammation ; or for the Pin or Wab. 

When you perceive the eyes of cattle to be sore and flowing 
with water, take of white copperas the quantity of half a dram, 
in the lump, and dissolve it in spring water, about half a wine 
pint ; wash the eyes of the beast with the water twice or thrice 
a-day. 

But if the eyes are much inflamed, wash them with eyebright 
water, mixed with an equal quantity of the juice of house leek- 

Or, on the same occasion, where there is danger of a pin or 
wab, or when a beast has received any cut or stroke across the 
eyes, use the following powder, viz. 

Take a new laid egg, and having taken out half the white, 
fill it up with salt, and a little fine flower of ginger ; wrap this 
in a wet cloth, and roast it hard in some hot cinders, or em- 
bers ; then beat it to powder, shell and all ; and when it is fine- 
ly pulverised, keep it closely stopped in a bottle for use. 

When you use this powder, blow a little of it through a quill 
into the eyes of the beast, especially in that which seems the 
most inflamed. 



64 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

For the bite of a mad dog, viper, or slow-worm. 

Take a pint of olive oil, and infuse in that four or five hand- 
fuls of plantain leaves, shred small, for eight or nine days ; then 
boil these together till the leaves grow crisp, and strain* it into a 
glazed earthen vessel, and anoint the part with it frequently till 
the wound or sore is healed. This is an oil generally used by 
the viper catchers. 

Some make the following plaster ; of bole ammoniac sanguis 
draoonis, barley meal, with the leaves of plantain, shred small, 
or beaten together in a mortar, and then beat up with whites of 
eggs. This serves as a plaster to be laid on fresh every morn- 
ing and evening. 

Of the falling dozen of the Palate. 

When a beast labors hard and wants water, he is commonly 
attacked with the falling down of the palate ; he will yet en- 
deavour to eat, but to little purpose. 

To remedy this, the beast mast be cast, and you may then 
thrust up the palate with your hand, and as soon as that is 
done, bleed him in the same place, and anoint the wounded part 
with honey and salt, well mixed together, turning him then to 
grass ; for dry meat is by no means proper for him. 

A Remedy for bruises in cattle. 

Take brooklyme, two handfuls ; chop it small, and boil it in 
tallow, or in hog's lard, for fifteen minutes, and apply it warm 
to the affected place. 

A mixture for a lameness in a Cow or Bullock, or when they are 
shoulder-pitclied, or cup sprung. 

Take oil of turpentine two ounces ; oil of Peter, and oil of 
spike, of each the like quantity ; mix these with six ounces of 
linseed oil, and anoint the grieved place once every day till it 
is well. 

Or, 

Take nerve oil and linseed oil, of each a like quantity ; mix- 
them well together, and anoint the injured part once a-day, 
keeping the mixture warm while you use it. 

A drink for Cows and Bullocks that are shrew bitten, or bitten by 
mad dogs or vipers. 

Take of rue, the smaller centaury, box, and St. John's wort, 
of each one handful ; boil these in six quarts of ale-wort, till the 



CURE OF OXEN, &e. 6S 

liquor is strong of the herbs ; then strain it off, and add a quart 
of water to it, then add five ounces of the flower of sulphur, and 
of cow spice three large spoonfuls, with one spoonful of oyster 
shell powdered. 

N. B. This will serve for six doses. 

A Salve, or Charge, for any Wound by a Stab or Thorn, ivhere 
some parts of them are supposed to lodge in the Wound. 

On these occasions take black snails from commons, or, as 
some call them, black slugs, with as much black soap ; beat 
these together till they are well mixed, and make a salve which 
apply to the wound. 

For a Beast that has a Bone broken or misplaced. 

When the bone is set right, or put into its true place, use the 
following preparation, viz. 

Burgundy pitch and tallow, of each a like quantity ; put to 
them as much linseed oil, as when they are well mixed, will 
make a salve or charge, to be plastered over the afflicted part. 

When this is laid on, splint it, and cover it with a woolen 
cloth, and keep it on twenty days in which time the bone will 
be well knit. 

A purge for a Cow or Bullock. 

Take butter, tar, and honey, with a little castile soap ; mix 
these well together, and give the mixture in balls as big as pig- 
eon's eggs ; two balls in a morning, 

Of the breeding of Milk in Cows, and the way to promote it. 

Draw whey with strong beer and milk , in which boil anni- 
seed, and coriander seed, finely beaten to powder, with an ounce 
of sugar candy well pulverized ; give a quart of this medicine to 
a cow every morning, which will not only make her milk spring 
freely, but will greatly increase it. 

Of the Rot in Oxen or Cows. 

When this distemper attacks any beast, it will fall from its 
meat, quickly be lean, and have a continual scouring. 

To remedy this distemper, take bay-berries, finely pulverized 
myrrh, ivy leaves, featherfew, and the leaves of elder ,• put 
these into fresh human urine, with a lump of yellew clay, stnd 
9 



§6 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

a little bay-salt ; mix them well together, and give a pint each 
morning warm to the beast. 

A remedy for swollen Cods in a Bull. 

Take two quarts of strong old beer, in which put a handful 
of the young shoots of elder, with two handfuls of the bark 
taken from the woody part of the common black-berry bush ; 
boil these gently till half the liquor is consumed, then strain it 
of}', and keep it for use. 

Wheii you use this, bathe the parts morning and evening 
with the liquor made pretty hot, and bind up the grieved part 
afterwards in a double linen cloth that has been dipped in the 
liquor. 

For a Cow thatjnsses Blood. 

Take oak, shave off the outer bark, and boil it in spring wa- 
ter till it is red : as also comfrey, shepherd's purse, pi: 
sage, green hemp or nettles, of each a handful, and boil them 
with the bark : strain it, and put a good handful of salt in the 
water ; as also some allum, bole ammoniac, chalk, or the pow- 
der of sea-coal. If your beast is weak, give less than a quart ; 
if strong, more ; once ofte:i serves, but twice will surely 1 cure 
the beast. Give it lukewarm. 

Another. 

Toast a piece of bread, and cover it well with tar, and give 
it. It is occasioned, some say, by their brousing on oak 
leaves. &c Put a frog down a cow's throat, and drive her next 
day into water, and she will directly piss clear. It is a 
present cure. 

For the Blaia in a Con:. 

When first taken, they stare, and foam with their tongues out 
of their mouths ; then immediately prick her in the nose or 
bleed her in the neck, which will' keep her alive twentv-four 
hours; then tnke a handful of salt in about a pint of watea, and 
give it her, putting immediately a whole egg down her throat : 
sometimes they have it behind under their tail, when a blister 
will appear ; this is cured by running your hand down her fun- 
dament close fingered, and brought wide out, which breaks the 
blain within. — If this is not presently discovered, it kills them. 



CURE OF OXEN, &c. §t 

For the black or red Water in Coivs, a distemper next to the piss- 
ing pf Blood. 

Take a piece of iron, heat it red hot in the fire, put it to two 
quarts of milk ; then let the milk cool, and give it the beast 
blood warm, and it will bind up the bloody issue after two or 
three times giving. 

For a Cow that strains in calving, when her Calfhaulm, Udder, 
or Bag will come doivn, and swells as much as a blown Blad- 
der. 

Take new milk, and strew therein linseed bruised to powder, 
or chalk, or pepper, but linseed is best ; put it up with your 
hand and let her hinder parts stand highest for two or three 
days. 

For a Cow, ivho by lying on the Earth, and too soon drinking 
cold water after calving, her calfhaulm swells and lies over the 
neck of the Bladder, stopping the Urine, that she cannot stale, or 
stand on her Feet. 

Take two sacks, or a winding-cloth, put it under her body, 
fasten a rope to it, and put it over a beam in the barn, and draw 
her up that she cannot touch the ground with her feet ; then 
let a woman anoint her hand, and work the calf's haulm from 
the bladder, that the water may have a passage. Give her 
warm bedding, warm drinks, and warm clothes. 

For a Coiv that cannot clean. 

Take a large handful of pennyroyal, and boil it in three pir; is 
of ale ; then strain it, and put one pound of treacle into it, and 
let it just boil ; take it off, and put a halfpenny worth of flow- 
er of brimstone into it, so give it in a horn to a cow. Instead 
of pennyroyal you may use southernwood. 

To cure Swellings, or Snarled Bags in a Cow. 

Take rue, and adder's tongue; stamp them together, and 
squeeze out the juice j mix this with a pound of fresh butter 
from the churn without salt, and make it into an ointment. — 
This is an excellent remedy. 

For a sucking Calf that sc-oureth. 

You must take a pint of verjuice, and clay that is burnt till 
it be red, or very well burnt tobacco-pipes, pound them to pow- 



68 RECEIPTS FOR THE, &c. 

der, and searce them very finely ; put to it a little powder of 
charcoal, then Wend them together, and give it to the calf, and 
he will mend in a night's time for certain. 

To feed Calves while they such 

Put to them a trough of barley meal, and they will whiten and 
fatten. Some give them oats in troughs all the time of their 
sucking ; and the night before they have them to market cut 
off a piece of the tail, and tie up with a shoemaker's end : and 
when at market, will give them a cram or two of flour mixed 
with claret, which keeps them from scouring. 



m 

OBSERVATIONS AND RECEIPTS 

FOR THE 

(SURE OF MOST COMMON DISTEMPERS, 

INCIDENT TO 

SHEEP AND LAMBS. 

Evert farmer that buys sheep or lambs should take care that 
they be all in good health, and not buy more than his grass will 
feed; for if he does, some of the weakest must starve, or the 
whole flock suffer for want of sufficient grass, which makes 
them eat poisonous weeds, and so perish for want of proper 
remedies to relieve them ; for which reason we have here laid 
down all the medicines that are necessary for shepherds, &c. 
to keep them. 

To prepare Tar to apply outwardly to Sheep, for the Scab, or the 
Ray. 

Tar may be either mixed with the grease of poultry, or goose 
grease, or hog's lard, or butter that has been made up without 
salt : to every pound of tar you must use half the quantity of 
either of the former, which may be well mixed together. Some 
choose to melt their butter to oil before they mix it with the tar, 
and it mixes the better, and is more healing. 

To make Broom-salve, an excellent Remedy for the Scab, or any 
other Distemper that appears on the Skin of Sheep. 

This salve is of great use to such as have large flocks of 
Sheep ; it answers the end of preparing tar, and is much cheap- 
er than tar, where broom is to be had. 

To make this, take twenty gallons of spring water, from a 
gravelly soil rather than any other, or in the room of that as 
much clear river or rain water ; put to this of green broom tops, 
stalks, leaves, and flowers, shred small, about ten gallons, and 
let it simmer or boil gently till it becomes of the consistence of 
a jelly, or till it be pretty thick; then add of stale human urine 
two quarts, and as much beef or pork brine made strong of the 
salt ; and to these add about two pounds of mutton suet, well 
.melted and cleaned ; stir these well together for about a mm- 



;u 



RECEIPTS FOR THE 



Vite or two, till the suet is mixed ; and then strain all off hits 
such a vessel as you think convenient, to be kept for use. 

How to use, the Broom-salve for the Ray and Scab in Sheep. 

This salve is very speedy and certain in curing the distem- 
pers called the Ray and Scab in sheep. 

If you use either this or the other prepared tar to a sheep 
if is in full staple (that is, before it is shorn) divide the 
wool, that you may see the inflamed part, and anoint it well 
and the parts about it, at least half an inch round; then close 
the wool again, and the distemper will cease, and the wool not 
be discoloured. 

When a sheep is troubled with the scab, you may presently 
discover it by its rubbing the distempered part against tr< 
posts, and with his horns ; and as soon as you perceive this, you 
should apply either of the prepared medicines. 

The broom-salve is also of great use in destroying the ticks 
or sheep-lice, and the wool will not be the worse for sale. 

If you use this salve to sheep newly shorn, let it be warmed, 
and wash the infected part with a spunge or woollen rag dipped 
into it. 

But as the scab in sheep proceeds chiefly from poor diet, so 
when we apply this outward remedy, give them fresh and good 
pasture ; for good food will help the cure, as well as prevent 
the evil. Sheep delight in shifting the pasture often, and if they 
have plenty they will take only that which is wholesome for 
them ; otherwise they will be forced to eat such herbs as may 
prove injurious to them. 

To cure the Skit or Looseness in Sheep. 

Take salt, allum or chalk, and give it in small drink or water 
mid it will knit and help them presently. 

To prevent and cure the Rot in Sheep. 

Take a peck or better of malt, and mash it as though you 
would brew it into beer or ale, and make eleven or twelve gal- 
lons of liquor : then boil in this liquor a good quantity of herbs, 
viz. shepherd's purse, sage, comfrcy, plantain, pennyroyal, 
wormwood, and bloodwort, of each a good quantity, and boil 
liquor very well ; then strain them forth, and 
put a little yeast therein ; after that put a peck of sail, and 
tun, or..' put it up in a vessel; then give it your sheep in wet 
weather- after Af/ril comes in seven or einht spoonfuls a-piece 
•nee t -, if it be dry weather, you need not so often; 



CURE OF SHEEP AND LAMBS. 7 [ 

and thus continue till May or after, as you see cause, nc- 
cording to the dryness or wetness of the weather. — Give them 
now and then a little tar mixed with herb de grace chopped, 
and it will cleanse the bowels of much corruption, and be health- 
ful to the blood. 

To destroy Tides or Tickells in Sheep, which annoy and spoil the' 
Shins of Sheep, and keep them low in Flesh. 

Take the root of the common wood maple, or acermxnus, cut 
it in chips, or grind it, and make a decoction of it in common 
water ; the quantity of about an ounce to a pint of water, which 
must be drawn clear from the root as soon as it is cold : this 
water being applied to the skin of the sheep where the! ticks 
happen to prevail most, is a certain destroyer of them. We 
need not tell a bred shepherd, that the wool must be first gently 
opened with the fingers before the liquor is applied. Some use 
a linen cloth that has been well soaked in it ; others apply 
this with a sponge to the sheep, immediately after they are 
shorn, to prevent the ticks for the future, and even to destroy 
the eggs of the ticks which may remain upon the body of the 
sheep. 

Of the Worm in the Foot, and the Cure. 

The worm in the foot shews itself by a swelling between the 
two claws, which makes the sheep go lame ; therefore when 
you find a sheep lame of any foot, you are to examine between 
the hoofs, and if he is troubled with this distemper, you will 
find a hole big enough to admit a pin's head, in which you may 
observe five or six black hairs about an inch long ; then with a 
sharp pointed knife open the skin a quarter of an inch on each 
side the hole, and by pressing it gently with your thumb above 
the slit, take hold of the black hairs with the other hand, and 
there will come out a worm like a solid piece of flesh, about 
two or three inches long. The wound must afterwards be 
anointed with tar to heal it, or you may use the broom-salve 
instead of tar. 

Of the Cough in Sheep, y 

When sheep are troubled with the cough and shortness of 
breath, bleed them in the ear, and take some oil of almond? 
and white wine, which mix well together, and pour into their 
nostrils about a spoonful at a time. You may observe, that 
when sheep are thus afflicted with a cough and shortness of 
breath, they are subject to be scabbed about their lips ; the 



72 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

remedy for which is, to beat hyssop and bay-salt, of each a 
like quantity together ; and rub their lips, their palates, and 
their mouths with it ; but if there should be any ulcerous places, 
anoint them with vinegar and tar well mixed together. 

A remedy ivhen Sheep happen to swallow any venomous Worm, 
Horse-leech, or jwisonous Herb. 

When sheep have happened to eat any thing that occasions 
their body to swell, bleed them in the lips, and under the tail, 
siving them a large spoonful of oil olive, or sharp white wine 
vinegar, or two good spoonfuls of human urine, from a sound 
person. 

Against the Mwrain. 

Take the dried flowers of wormwood, or of rue ; mix them 
with common salt, and give them to such sheep as are infected 
or are in danger of being infected. About a dram is enough 
for each sheep in a morning in a spoonful or two of human 
urine. 

T/ie Red Water in Sheep, and of the common Cure for that Dis- 
temper. 

The red water is accounted one of the most dangerous dis- 
tempers attending the flock, bringing whatever sheep it-nttucks 
to death in a short time, unless it be discovered at the first com- 
ing ; whereas in the rot, a sheep that happens to be taken with 
it, may live for a month or more. The remedy for the red 
water is to bleed the sheep in the foot and under the tail ; then ' 
apply to the sore places the leaves of rue and wormwood, or 
the tender shoots of either of them bruised and well mixed with 
bay-salt ; and give them, by way of diet, fine hay, in the morn- 
ings and evenings, or other dry meat sprinkled a little with 
suit. 

For the Wildfire in Sheep. 

t 

This is us dangerous a distemper as any that can attend the 
flock, and was foi a long time held incurable ; but some of the 
most intelligent shepherds have made a salve which has done 
great service. Their medicine is made of chervil bruised and 
beat up with stale beer, with which the sore or afflicted place 
must he anointed. Or, to take another method, which is as cer- 
tain, prepare a wash made of common water one quarter of a 
pint ; the quantity of a horse bean of white copperas ; wash the 



CURE OF SHEEP AND LAMBS. 75 

sore part with this water twice or thrice in an hour's time, and 
it is a certain cure. 

Of sore Eyes in Sheep, and the Remedy, 

Although sheep have a dulness in their eyes when rotten, yet 
sometimes they are subject to have a flux of humours winch 
Aveakens their sight, and without timely help will bring them to 
be stark blind. Some of our shepherds use on this occasion the 
juice of celandine, which they drop into the eye ; others use., 
with as good judgment, the juice of the leaves of ground ivy, 
which should be forcibly spirted out of the mouth into the 
sheep's eye 5 or a decoction made of either of the foregoing 
plants in common water will do as well ; and you may have al- 
ways the same remedies ready at hand, without the trouble of 
seeking the plants when you have occasion for them. It is ne- 
cessary, however, to observe, that when you make these decoc- 
tions, about five or six grains of allum may be boiled in every 
pint of water ; or if you use white copperas in this case of the 
eyes, infuse about seven grains of the copperas in half a pint of 
fair water, it is a sovereign remedy. 

Of the Tag, or Belt in Sheep. 

Sheep are said to be taggered or belt when they have a flux, 
or continued running of ordure, which lighting upon the tail, the 
heat of the uung, by its scalding, breeds the scab. The com- 
mon cure for this distemper is, first to cut off or shear the tags 
of wool that are bewrayed, so as to lay the sore bare ; then 
wash the raw part with human urine, or strong beef or pork 
brine ; ( then strew the place with fine mould, or dried earth ; 
and after that, lay on tar mixed well with goose-grease, or hog's 
lard ; repeat a strewing of fine mould, and it is a certain cure, 
as far as outward application can act. This is the common 
receipt ; but to give them as a diet, oats, fine hay, with a little 
sprinkling of bay-salt finely beat, and a small quantity of the 
powder of juniper-berries, will certainly remove the cause. 

Of the Measles, or Pox in Sheep. 

This distemper shews itself at first in the skin, in small pimp- 
les, either of a red or purplish colour, and is very infectious ; 
so that whenever a sheep is attacked with it, it ought instantly 
to be removed from the flock, and put into a fresh springing 
pasture. The outward application used b}~ the shepherds, is to 
boil the leaves of rosemary in strong vinegar, about three ounces 
of leaves to a pint of vinegar, and to wash the pustules or sara 
l^arts with that decoction. 

10 



74 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

Of tlie Blood in Sheep, and its Remedy. 

This distemper we take to be a sort of measles or pox, at- 
tended with such a degeee of fever, as will not suffer any 
breaking out in the skin ; for it is generally observed, that liie 
skin of such a sheep is redder than any other sheep, in any oth^r 
distemper. In which case you are to Bleed him as you perceive him 
Stagger, by cutting off the upper part of his ears, which is the most 
ready way ; and by bleeding him uixler the eye immediately 
after, which forwards the cure begun in the cutting the ears ; 
for thereby the head is immediately assisted, and they will 
soon recover. But as, from the beginning of the distemper to 
the death of the Sheep, it is no more than rive or six minutes, 
so a shepherd ought to be very watchful, and ready to bleed 
him, as soon as the foregoing syniptons appear. Some sup- 
pose this distemper to proceed from the sheep eating penny- 
grass, while others suppose it to be an over-fulness of blood from 
rank diet. 

Of the Wood-evil, and its Cure. 

The wood-evil is seldom or ever found among sheep that 
have their pasture in low grounds ; but for the most part amongst 
those that feed upon poor uplands, and grounds over-run with 
fern. The remedy is to bleed them in the vein under the eye. 

This distemper commonly happens about April or May, seiz- 
ing the sheep in the neck, making them hold their heads awry, 
and occasioning them to halt in their going, and will be their 
death in a day or two, if the aforesaid remedy of bleeding he 
not timely used, and fresh pasture in low lauds provided for 
them. 

If a lamb is seized with a fever, or any other sickness, take 
him away from his dam, for fear of her catching it ; which 
done, draw some milk from the ewe, and put to it so much 
rain water, and make the Iamb swallow it down. This is a cer- 
tain cure for a sick lamb, if you keep him warm. 

There is a certa*n scab on the chin of lambs, at some sea- 
sons, occasioned by their feeding on grass covered with dew ; 
it is called by the shepherds the Dartars, winch will kill a lamb 
if not stopped. 

A cure for the Dartars. 

Take salt and hyssop, in like proportion ; beat them together 
and therewith chafe the palate of the mouth, the tongue, and 
all the muzzle ; then wash the scab with vinegar; and after 
(hat anoint it with tar and hog^s grease mixed together. 



CURE OF SHEEP AND LAMBS, 75 

There is also a scabbiness that often happens to lambs when 
they are but half a year old ; to cure winch you must grease 
them with tar mixed with two parts of goose grease. 

To fasten loose Teeth in Sheep or Lambs. 

When you observe their teeth loose, which you will see by 
their not feeding, then let them blood under the tail, and rub 
their gums with powder of mallow-roots. 

Lambs are generally yeaned in the spring, at which time 
shepherds should take great care to cherish the ewes, that they 
may be strong and able to deliver their lambs, otherwise they 
will have many abortive or dead lambs. And if the ewes are 
not able to deliver themselves, then the shepherd should be al- 
ways ready to help them, by setting his foot on their necks, and 
witli his hands to pluck it gently from them. 

Ifalambis likely to die when first lambed open his mouth 
and blow therein, and he will soon recover. 

Cutting or Gelding of Lambs. 

The age of cutting is from three to nine days old, after which 
they are rank of blood, which will fall into the cod in cutting, 
and there lie and kill them ; to prevent which, put a little pow- 
der of rosin into the cod, and that will dry up the quarie blood. 

A sure way of cutting : let one hold the lamb between his 
legs, or in his lap, and turn the lamb on his back, holding all 
his feet upright together ; if you see black spots in his flanks, 
do not cut him, for he is rank of blood, and will surely die. Let 
the cutter hold the tip of the cod, in his left hand, and with a 
sharp penknife cut the top thereof an inch long quite away. — 
Then with his thumbs and his two fore fingers of both hands, 
slip the cod softly down over the stones, and then with his teeth 
holding the left stone in his mouth, draw it softly out as long as 
the string is ; then draw forth the other stone in like manner. 
Spit in the cod, and anoint Ins flanks on both sides' of the cod 
with fresii grease, and so let him go. 

Against the flowing of the Gall. 

When a sheep is troubled with this distemper, he will stand 
shrinking with all his feet together ; to cure which, give him 
half a spoonful of aquavitae, mixed with so much vinegar ; and 
let hiin blood under the tail. The above remedy is also very 
good against the red water in sheep. 



76 RECEIPTS FOR THE, &c* 

For the Itch, or Scab in Sheep. 

Take a small quantity of the herb bears-foot ; with the root 
of camelion noir, which is the great thistle that has milk in it ; 
boil them together, and wash the scabby places therewith, and 
it will certainly cure them. 



T, 



A cure for the Staggers in Lambs or young Sheep. 



'ake of long pepper, liquorice, anniseeds, and hempseeds, of 
each a pennyworth : beat all these together, and mix with it 
some new milk and honey, and give each lamb or sheep two or 
three spoonfuls milk warm. This should, if possible, be done 
in the month of May. 



OBSERVATIONS AND RECEIPTS 

FOR THE 

CURE OF MOST COMMON DISTEMPERS 

INCIDENT TO 

HOGS, 



The hog is a hurtful and spoiling beast, stout, hardy, and 
troublesome to rule ; however, he is a very profitable creature, 
wbere the}^ have convenience to keep him, such as in farms 
where there are large dairies, it is necessary, that to each cow 
there should be a hog for the offals of the dairy ; such as skim- 
med milk, or flit milk, butter-milk, whey, and the washings of 
the dairy, which will afford them food sufficient to nourish 
them ; and as their needs no more to be said concerning swine, 
we shall now treat of their diseases, and the cure of thera. 

Rules to know when Swine are in Health. 

All swine in health curl their tails, for which reason the best 
swine-herds will by no means suffer them to be blooded in 
that part ; but in the ears, and about the neck, when bleeding 
is necessary. They are very subject to fevers, which they 
shew by hanging their heads, and turning them on one side, 
running on a sudden, and stopping short, which is commonly, 
if not always, attended with a giddiness, which occasions them 
to drop, and die, if not timely prevented. When you observe 
this distemper upon them, you must strictly regard which side 
their head turns to, and bleed them in the ear, or in the neck,, 
on the contrary side. Some would advise to bleed them like- 
wise under the tail, about two inches below the rump. It is ve- 
ry certain that this giddiness, or, as some call it, staggers, m a 
hog, proceeds from an over-quantity of blood, and by bleeding 
them in time they will certainly recover. 

In bleeding of hogs near the tail, you may observe a large 
vein to rise above the rest. The old farmers used to beat this 
vein with a little stick, in order to make it rise or swell. OjSen 
this vein lengthways with your fleam, or fine penknife ; and 
after taking away a sufficient quantity of blood, such as ten 
ounces from a hog about fourteen stone, or fifteen or sixteen 
from a hog of five-and-twenty and upwards, bind up the orifice 



RECEIPTS FOR THE 

with bast taken from a fresh mat. or with a slip taken 
from the inner bark of the lime tree, or the inner bark of a 
willow, or the elm. After bleeding, keep them in the house for 
a day or two, giving them bailey meal mixed with warm water 
and allowing them to drink nothing but what is warm, water 
chiefly, without any mixture. In the paste made with barley 
meal, some of the most curious swine-herds will give about half 
an ounce a-day of the bark of oak ground fine. 

Of the Quinsey in Swine. 

This is a distemper which swine are very subject to, and will 
prevent their feeding, and frequently happens when they are 
half fatted : so that we have known after five or six weeks 
putting up, that they have eaten near ten bushels of pease, three 
or four days of this distemper has reduced them to as great 
poverty in flesh as they were in before they were put up to 
feed. This distemper is a swelling in the throat, and is reme- 
died by bleeding a little above the shoulders, or behind the 
shoulders. But the method which we take to be the most cer- 
tain, is to bleed them under the tongue, though some pretend 
that settering is the most certain method of "cure. However, 
any of these methods will do. 

Of tlie Kernel in Swine, and tlie Cure. 

The distemper called the kernels, is likewise a swelling in the 
throat : the remedy for which is bleeding them under the tongue, 
and rubbing their mouths after {deeding with salt and wheat 
flour, finely beaten and well mixed together. If a sow hap- 
pens to be with pig, and has this distemper upon her, give her 
the roots of the common field narcissus, or yellow daffodil. 

Loathing of Meat in Swine, or their discharging it involuntarily by 

Vomit, and the Remedy. 

When swine discharge their meat by vomit, their stomachs 
may be corrected by giving them the raspings of ivory or hart's- 
horn dried in a pan with salt, which must be mixed with their 
meat which should be chiefly ground beans, or ground acorns ; 
or, for want of these, barley indifferently broken in the m.il, 
and scalded with the above ingredients- Madder is likewise 
good to be given them on this occasion, mixed with their meat. 
Tins distemper however is not mortal, but has the ill effect of 
reducing swine in their flesh. It certainly prevents the dis- 
temper called the blood in swine, or the gargut, as some call it, 
which gener Is from their eating too much fresh grass 

when they are first turned' abroad in the spring. 



CURE OF HOGS. T 

Of the Gar gut, or Blood, in Swine. 

This distemper, among country people, is always esteemed 
mortal. Some call it a madness in swine. It shews, itself most 
like the fever in swine, by staggering in their gait, and loathing 
their meat. In the fever, however, they will eat freely till the 
very tune they drop ; but in this, their^ stomach, will fall off a 
day or two before the staggering or giddiness appears. The 
cure for which is, to bleed the hog, as soon as you perceive him 
attacked with the distemper, under the ears and under the tail, 
according to the opinion of some. To make him bleed freely, 
beat him with a small wand where the incisions were made : 
though it is seldom in this distemper that the blood does not 
come freely enough from the vein, if it be rightly opened. Af- 
ter bleeding, keep the hog in the house, give him barley meal 
in warm whey, in which mixture give him madder, or red oker 
powdered, or bole. . 

Of the Spleen in Swine. 

As swine are insatiable creatures, they ai?e frequently troub- 
led with abundance of the spleen ; the remedy for which is, to 
give them some twigs of tamarisk boiled or infused in water ;• 
or if some of the small tender twigs of tamarisk, fresh gather- 
ed were to be chopped small and given them in their meat, it 
would greatly assist them : for the juice and every part of this 
wood, is of extraordinary benefit to swine in most cases, but in 
this distemper especially. 

Of the Choler in Hogs, the Remedy. 

The distemper called the choler, in swine, shews itself by 
the hog's losing its flesh, forsaking its meat, and being more 
inclined to sleep than ordinary, even refusing the fresh food of 
the field, and falling into a deep sleep as soon as he enters it. 
It is common, in this distemper, for a hog to sleep more than 
three parts in four of its time ; and consequently he cannot eat 
as nature requires him sufficiently for his nourishment. This is 
what one may call a lethargy, for he is no sooner asleep but he 
seems dead, not being sensible or moving though you beat him 
with the greatest violence, till of his own accord he recoversr 

The most certain and approved remedy for it is the root of 
the cucumis silvestris, or wild cucumber, as some call it, stamp- 
ed and strained with water, given them to drink. This will 
immediately cause them to vomit, and soon after to become 
lively and leave their drowsiness. When the stomach is thus 
discharged, give thera horse beans, softened in pork brine, if 



SO RECEIPTS FOR THE 

possible ; or, for want of that, in beef brine, or in fresh human, 
urine, from some healthful person ; or eise acorns tiiat have 
been infused a day or two in common water aud salt, about a 
fortieth part of salt to the water. 

It would he necessary to keep them in the house during the 
time of the operation, and not to suffer them to go out till the 
middle of the next day ; first giving them a good feed of bar- 
ley meal, mixed with water wherein a little oak bark has been 
infused three or four hours. 



This distemper is judged to be infectious, and therefore all 
swine that are taken with it, must immediately be separated 
from the herd, and put into some house where none but the in- 
fected may come. In this, as well as in all other cases where 
swine are distempered, let them have clean straw : give them. 
when they are thus attacked, about a pint of good white wine, 
or raisins wherein some of the roots of the polypody of the oak 
have been boiled, and wherein about ten or twelve bruised ber- 
ries of ivy have been infused. This medicine will purge them, 
and by correcting their stomachs will discharge the distemper. 

If, after the first, another hog should be seized with the same 
illness, let the house or sty be cleaned well from the straw and 
dung of the first distempered hog. At the first of his entrance 
give him some bunches of wormwood, fresh gathered, for him 
to feed on at his pleasure; observing every time that you have 
occasion to bring in new-distempered swine, to give them clean 
litter and clean houses. 

The polypody of the oak in white wine, as above directed, is 
likewise an approved remedy for the distemper mentioned above 
called the Choler. 

Of Measled Sivine 

Swine, when they are troubled with this distemper, will have 
a much hoarser voice than usual, their tongues will be pale, and 
their skin will be thick set with blisters, about the bigness of 
pease. As this distemper is natural to swine, the ancients ad- 
vise, that you give them their meat out of leaden troughs by 
way of prevention. It is also a common practice, where this 
distemper prevails (for it is in some sort pestilential,) to give the 
hog an infusion of briony root and cummin water every morn- 
ing in their first feed, by way of precaution. But the most sure 
way is to prepare the following medicine, viz. 

Sulphur, half a pound; allum three ounces ; bay berries three 
quarters of a pint : soot, two ounces. Beat these all together. 



CURE OF HOGS; 8i 

tie them in a linen cloth, and lay them in the water which you 
give them to drink, stirring them firit in the water. 

Of the Distemper in the Lungs of Swine, and its Cure. 

Swine, as they are of a hot nature, are subject to a distem- 
per which is called the thirst, or lungs, according to some far- 
mers. This is what we design to treat of, as it is a distemper 
proceeding purely from want of water, and what they are never 
subject to but in the summer time, or where water is wanting. 
It is frequently to the farmer's expence very greatly, when swine 
are put up to be fatted, that there is not due care to give them 
water enough ; then they surely pine, and lose the benefit of 
their meat. The remedy for this is to give them water fresh 
and frequently, otherwise it Will bring them to have an over- 
heat in their liver, which will occasion this distemper, which the 
farmers generally term the lungs ; to cure which, pierce both 
ears of the hog, and put into each orifice a leaf and stalk, a 
little bruised, of the black hellebore* 

Of the Gall in Swine. 

This distemper never happens but for want of appetite, and 
where the stomach is too cold to digest, as some authors say. 
Generally, as far as our experience teaches us, it happens to 
those swine which are confined in nasty pens, and are neglect- 
ed and starved in their food. The cure of this distemper is to. 
give them the juice of colewort or cabbage leaves, with saffron 
mixed with honey and water about a pint. 

This distemper shews itself by a swelling that appears under 
the jaw. 

Of the Pox in Swine. 

This distemper is remarkable in such swine as have wanted 
necessary subsistence, and more particularly in such as have 
wanted water* Some have thought it to proceed from a venere- 
al cause, whereby the blood has been corrupted. It appears in 
many sores upon the body of the creature, and whatever boar 
or sow happens to be infected with it, will never thrive, though 
you give them the best of meat. The cure is to give them in- 
wardly about two large spoonfuls of treacle, in water that has • 
first been made indifferently sweet with honey, about a pint at 
a time, anointing the sores with flower of brimstone well mixed 
with hog's lard : to which you may add a small quantity of to- 
bacco dust. While you give the preparation of treacle inward- 
ly, the swine thus infected sbould be kept in the house, and 
quite free from the rest of the herd, till they are cured. 
11 



32 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

Mr. M. T. of Surry, his Remedy for the Swelling under the Throat. 

This distemper appears somewhat like the swelling of the 
kernels, or what the ordinary farmers call the kernels in swine. 
The most immediate remedy is to open the swollen parts, when 
they are ripe for that purpose, with a fine penknife, or lancet, 
taking care that it is not in the least rusty ; and there will is- 
sue from thence a great quantity of fetid matter of a yellow or 
greenish colour. Wash then the part with fresh human urine, 
and dress the wound with hog's lard. 

A Cure for the bite of a Viper, or mad Dog in Swine. 

The signs of madness in hogs, which proceeds from the hites 
of vipers, slow worms, or mad dogs, are nearly the sume ; viz. 
an hog, on this occasion, will paw with his feet, foam at his 
mouth, and champ or gnash with his jaws, start suddenly, and 
jump upon all four at intervals. Some of the country people 
have mistaken this distemper for the fever in swine ; others 
have mistaken it. for the staggers : hut in neither of these do the 
swine paw with their feet, the venomous hites alone giving them 
that direction. The most immediate cure or remed}' for such 
hitings, if you can judge of their disaster presently after they 
are bit, is to wash the wound with warm human urine, or warm 
vinegar; or for want of either, witJi common water and salt, 
warmed, the quantity of salt one fortieth part to the water, and 
then searing or burning the wound with a red hot iron. 

It is necessary, at the same time, to setter the hog in the ear, 
with the common hellebore. 

It is convenient, when swine have been thus bitten, to give 
them the following medicine : 

Take of rue, the smaller centaury, box, St. John's wort, of 
each two handfuls : vervain, a handful ; these herbs should be 
boiled in four gallons of small beer, being tied up in hunches. 

When you imagine that this decoction is strong enough, or 
lias received the virtue of the herbs, pass the liquor through a 
sieve, or strain it through a coarse cloth ; then add to it about a 
gallon of water, or as much as will make good the deficiency of 
the water boiled away : add to this about two pounds of flower of 
sulphur, and about a pound of madder finely beaten, and as 
much of coriander-seeds not beaten ; of anniseeds about three 
quarters of a pound, and fine oyster shell powder well prepared, 
or in lieu of that, the powder of crab claws, or lobster claws, 
about six ounces. This medicine will be enough for five-and- 
Swenty hogs. 



CURE OF HOGS. 83 

Of the Tremor, or shaking in Swine, its Cure ; from C. G. Esq. 
of Hertfordshire. 

Take hyssop and mallows, hi stalks, and leaves, about a handfui 
of each ; boil them in three pints of milk till the virtue of the 
herbs has sufficiently got into it ; then pass the liquor through a 
sieve, or strain it, to be free from the herbs; adding then of 
madder, two spoonfuls, and about an ounce oi liquorice sliced, 
with as much anniseeds. Give it two mornings together. 

Mr. Tyson of Warwickshire, his Remedy for the Staggers in a 
Hog. 

This distemper is to be cured two ways, viz. either by a 
draught prepared of flower of sulphur and madder, ground or 
powdered, about an ounce of each boiled, in new "milk, and giv- 
en at twice to the hog fasting in the morning, two days follow- 
ing, if you take the distemper in the beginning : or else, when 
it has already seized his head with violence, use the following 
preparation. 

Take of the common house-leek, and rue, of each a like quan- 
tity ; to which add bay salt, enough to make their juict s very 
pungent, when they are bruised together, which should be done 
in a stone or marble mortar, with a. wooden pestle; when these 
are well stamped and mixed together, add a large spoonful of 
the strongest vinegar you can get, and put the mixture into the 
ears of the hog, stopping them both close with tow, wool, or 
cotton, so that it may remain in a day and night. This, if the 
hog is not far gone, will recover him; but if he is not quite well ? 
the same must be repeated a second time ; and as soon as the 
mixture is taken out of his ears, stop them with sheep's wool, or 
with cotton or tow that has been greased a little with oil of al- 
monds ; for this will prevent his taking cold. 

Of the Murrain, and Measles, in Swine ; the Remedy, from a air 
rious Gentleman of Northamptonshire. 

Although we have already mentioned this distemper, and ils 
cure, give us leave yet to insert another remedy, which has 
been highly commended. 

Take of the flower of sulphur, half an ounce, and as much 
madder powdered or ground, as it comes over ; liquorice sliced, 
about a quarter of an ounce; and anniseeds the same quantity; 
to this put a spoonful of wheat flour, and mix it in new milk, to 
give the hog m a morning fasting ; repeat this medicine twice or 
thrice. 

If a hog has eat any ill herbs, such as henbane or hemlock ; 
to cure the same, give him to drink the juice of cucumbers made 



84 RECEIPTS FOR THE 

warm, which will cause him to vomit, and so cleanse his stomach 
that he will soon recover. 

Sows with Pig. 

Great care should he taken of the sows when they are with 
pig, and to shut them up in the sty for fear of accidents, hut 
you should not put two together, because they will lie upon one 
another, and so hurt themselves ; let them farrow in the sty, 
otherwise they will often cast their pigs, which is a great loss to 
the keeper. 

Gelding Pigs, and spaying Soics. 

The boar pigs ought to be gelded when they arc about six 
months old ; for then they begin to wear strong in heat, and will 
make the stronger hogs. 

Sows should not be spayed till they are three or four years 
old : to do which, cut them in the mid flank, two fingers broad, 
with a sharp penknife, and take out the bag of birth and cut it 
off, and so stitch up the wound again, and anoint it, and keep 
her in a warm sty for two or three days ; then let her out, and 
she will soon grow fat. 

Gelding of Hogs. 

In the spring, and after Michaelmas, are the two best seasons 
to geld your hogs : to do which, cut a cross slit in the middle of 
each stone, then pull them gently out, and anoint the wound 
with tar. 

To feed a Hog for Lard. 

Let him lie on thick planks, or a stone pavement ; f v ed him 
A\ith barley and pease, but no beans, and let him drink the tap- 
pings or washings of hogsheads ; but for a change give him some 
sodden barley, and in a short time he will begin to glut ; there- 
fore, about once in ten days, give him a handful of crabs. 

Make him drunk now and then, and he will fatten the better. 
After a month's feeding, give him dough made of barley meal 
for about Ave weeks, without any drink or other moisture j by 
which time he will be fat enough for use. 

A Bath for the Swine's Pox. 

This is a distemper that often proves of very ill consequence, 
because one infects another 5 it generally proceeds from lice in 



CURE OF HOGS. 85 

their skin, or poverty ; and they will never thrive while they 
are troubled with it. The cure for which is this : 

Take yarrow, plantain, primrose leaves, briar leaves, old oak- 
en leaves, water betony, of each two handfuls; boil them in two 
gallons of running water till they are all tender, and then wash 
your hogs therewith ; and m twice or thrice using, it will dry 
them up. 



When you perceive your hog to cast or vomit, you may be 
gure his stomach is not well : and therefore give him some shav- 
ings of ivory mixed with a little dried beaten salt. Also beat his 
beans small, and put them in the trough with his other meat, 
that he may feed thereon before he goes to the field, 



86 

ADDENDA. 

The following is the cure for the HEAVES in horses, prom- 
ised in the prospectus for pubhshing the foregoing work. The 
reason of its not being in its proper place is, that the gentle- 
man who had promised it to the publisher had removed into 
the western parts of this State, and it was impossible to obtain 
it from him, till the printing of the book had progressed thus 
far. We had indeed almost abandoned the hope of obtaining it 
at all, without the sacrifice of stopping the press until it could 
be procured, at any expense. It was received in a letter da- 
ted September 4, 1815, as follows : 

u Receipt for tlie Cure of the Heaves. 

" Take half a pound of good Ginger, (Ginger is very often 
adulterated by a mixture of Indian meal,) put two spoonfuls of it 
into a mash of scalded wheat bran, and feed with the same twice 
a day till the cure is effected, which, in nine cases in ten, will 
take place in ten or fifteen days — Bleeding and a nitrous solu- 
tion, (half an ounce to a drench) will accelerate the cure. 

" N. B. The above receipt (simple as it may appear) has of- 
ten been sold for jD. 5. — Surprising cure? have been effected. 



UNIVERSAL RECEIPT BOOK, 

OR 

COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 



A Receipt for the cure of Jaundice, (from the Neiv-York Medical 
Repository, for May, 1813.^) 

Take salt of tartar one ounce, of castile soap, gum arabic 
each half an ounce, of spirits or brandy one pint. The ingre- 
dients should be frequently stirred with a stick, and shook well 
together, and after standing four or five days the medicine will 
be fit for use. The dose is two thirds of a wine glass, mixed 
with one third of a wine glass of water, every morning for three 
'days in succession, when it may be left off for two or three 
mornings, and taken again in the same way, if necessary, until 
the disease begins to disappear. Where the case is bad, it 
should be taken every morning until relief is procured. 

German method of clarifying and preserving Fresh Butter. 

Butter thus prepared is superior to almost any thing else for 
most culinary purposes ; it is excellent for frying, being equal in 
that respect to the best Florence oil, and of peculiar use in long 
sea-voyages. To clarify it, they set a large clean copper ves- 
sel on a trivet, over a charcoal fire, and put in new butter before 
it has acquired any ill taste, but in small quantities at a time. — 
To about fifty pounds of butter a large onion, peeled, and cut 
crossway, is thrown in. The whole is then closely watched, 
and kept skimming the moment it begins to boil ; the fire is 
then slackened, so that it may only simmer for five minutes ; 
after which, if it cannot be quickly removed, the fire is immedi- 
ately extinguished. The onion being taken out, the butter is left 
to stand for a little\time, till every impurity sinks to the bottom ; 
as all that has not risen to the skimmer never fails doing. They 
have ready to receive it large tin canisters, jars, or wooden ves- 
sels made air tight, which hold about fifty pounds each, in which 



8S COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

while it is yet liquid, it is poured off, and closely covered for 
use. When it is wanted it should be always taken out with a 
wooden spoon or ladle, nor either the hand or any metal what- 
ever he suffered to touch it. 

Excellent Lozenges for the Heart Burn. 

Take oyster-shells calcined by the atmosphere, as they are 
found on the sea-coast, where they are so blanched by time as 
to appear throughout of the whiteness of mother of pearl : dry 
them well by the fire, and then beat and sift them as fine as 
possible. With half a pound of this powder mix half a pound 
of loaf sugar well beaten and sifted ; and wet it with a spoonful 

or two of milk and water, so as to form a very stiff paste. 

Mould the whole into lozenges of any form or size, and bake 
them very dry in an oven not so much heated as to discolour 
them; this will be best done after every thing is drawn out* — 
These lozenges so effectually destroy that acidity in the stom- 
ach which causes this complaint, as not only to prevent the 
disagreeable sensation it occasions, but greatly to promote di- 
gestion. 

An Excellent Catsup which will keep good more than twenty years. 

Take two gallons of stale strong beer, or ale, the stronger 
and staler the better ; one pound of anchovies, cleansed from the 
intestines and washed, half an ounce each of cloves and mace, 
one quarter do. of pepper, six large roots of ginger, one pound 
of eschalots, and two quarts, or more of Map mushrooms, well 
rubbed and picked. Boil these ingredients over a slow fire for 
one hour ; then strain the liquor through a flannel bag, and let 
it stand till quite cold, when it must be bottled and stopped ve- 
ry close with cork and bladder, or leather. One spoonful of 
this catsup to a pint of melted butter, gives an admirable taste 
and colour, as a fish sauce, and is by many preferred to the best 
Indian soy. 

Bayleifs Patent Cakes for Liquid Blacking. 

This is made according to the specification, with one part of 
die gummy juice which issues from the shrub called goat's thorn 
during the summer months ; four parts of rain or river water, 
two parts of neat's foot, or some other softening and lubrica- 
ting oil, two parts superfine ivory-black, two parts of a deep 
blue colour, prepared from iron and copper, and four parts of 
brown sugar. The water is then evaporated till the composi- 
tion is of a proper consistence to form into cakes of such a 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 89 

Size as to produce, when dissolved in hot water, a pint of liquid 
blacking. 

To die Cotton Yam of a deep blue, from the Carlisle (Pennsylvania) 
paper, for August 11, 1813. 

Take one pound of logwood chipped fine or pounded, boil it in 
a sufficient quantity of water until the whole colouring matter is 
extracted ; then take about one half gallon of this liquor, and 
dissolve it in one ounce of verdigrise and about the like quantity 
of alum ; boil your yarn meantime in the logwood water for one 
hour, stirring it well and keeping it loose. 

Take out your yarn, and mix the half gallon containing the 
verdigrise and alum with the other, then put your yarn into the 
mixture and boil it four hours ; stirring it, and keeping it loose 
all the time, and taking it out once every hour, to give it air, 
after which dry it, then boil it in soap and water, and it is done. 

The above preparation will die six pounds of cotton yarn an 
elegant deep blue. After which put as much yarn into the 
same liquor and boil it for three hours, stirring it as before, and 
you will have a good pale blue, or if you wish for an elegant 
green, boil hickory bark in the liquor and it will produce it. 

This receipt has been proved satisfactorily from experience, 
and it is a cheap mode of obtaining the above-mentioned col- 



Doctor Morgan's (of Jersey) Receipt for the cure of the Botts in 
Horses. 

Take a table spoonful of unslacked lime, and let it be given 
with the water, or the feed of the horse at night and morning, 
regularly for three, four or five days, and it will completely ex- 
pel the botts. 

Doctor Loomis's (of N> Carolina) celebrated Receipt for the cure 
of the Botts. 

Make a drench, composed of half a pint of new milk, a gill of 
molasses, an ounce of copperas, two table spoonsfull of common 
salt, and half a pint of warm water. Give this to the horse once 
or twice a day for a few days and it will be sure to relieve 
him. 

A cure for the Scratches in Horses. 

This troublesome disorder may be effectually removed by 
the following simple method. Make a strong solution of coppe* 
12 



90 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTOR*'. 

ras in water, so that the prater is completely saturated with if, 
apply this to the part affected rubbing- it in gently with a cob 
each time. A few applications of this kind will generally en- 
tirely cure the complaint. 

Incomparable Fumigation for a sore Throat. 

Boil a pint of vinegar and an ounce of myrrh well together 

about half an hour, and then pour the liquor into a basin. 

Place over the basin the large end of a funnel so as to fit it, 
and the small end then being taken into the patient's mouth, the 
fume will be inhaled and descend to the throat. It must be used 
as hot as it can possibly be borne, and renewed every quarter 
of an hour, till a cure is effected. This excellent remedy will 
seldom or never fail, if persisted in only for a day or two, and 
sometimes for a very few hours, in the most dangerous state of 
an inflammatory or putrid sore throat, or even a quinsy. 

Genuine Lozenges for tlie Piles, as used in the West Indies. 

Take four ounces of fine powdered loaf sugar, two ounces of 
flour of sulphur, and a sufficient quantity of the mucilage of 
gum tacamahaca dissolved in red rosewater to form the whole 
into a paste. Make it up into lozenges of what form and size 
you wish, dry them before the fire, or in an oven after the bread, 
&c. has been drawn. Of these take about the weight of a dram 
daily. This is found to be a most valuable remedy for that dis- 
tressing complaint. 

A cleanly mixture fen- effectually destroying Bugs. 

Take half a pint each of the best spirits of wine, and oil or 
spirits of turpentine, mix them together, and breaking into small 
pieces half an ounce of camphor, put that also into the bottle, 
where it will dissolve in a few minutes. Shake it well together, 
and with a brush or a piece of sponge dipped in it, wet well the 
bed or furniture where the bugs harbour and breed. This will 
infallibly destroy them and their nits, though they swarm ever 
so much. It is necessary that the bed or furniture should be 
thoroughly wet with it, the dust being all first carefully brushed 
and shook off, which will prevent the mixture from staining in 
the least, or soiling even the richest silk or damask bed, Sec. — 
The above quantity will entirely free any bed whatever from 
bugs, though it swarm with them. Should any bugs appear al- 
ter once using this mixture, it will only be owing to not having 
well wetted the lining, &c. of the bed with it ; so that those parts 
being well wetted with more of the liquid, which dries as fast as 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 9S 

it is used, and pouring it into the joints and holes where the 
sponge or brush cannot reach, they never fail being all destroy- 
ed. The mixture must be well shaken together whenever it is 
used. It is necessary that the spirits of wine used for this pur- 
pose should be highly rectified. 



Another receipt for destroying Bugs. 

Take of the distilled oil of tar a quantity sufficient to wet 
those parts of the wood work of your bed, &c where the bugs 
secrete themselves. It will inevitably destroy the living bug, 
and by being careful to repeat it in a few days, all the eggs, 
which by that time will have hatched, will be likewise killed, so 
that the bed may be completely freed of them. It is said to 
have the same property of attracting these insects as the oil of 
rhodium has rats, but on the moment of their coming in contact 
with them it destroys them. 



Doctor Stoughton's celebrated Stomachic Elixir 



Pare oft the thin yellow rinds of six large Seville oranges, and 
put them into a quart bottle, with an ounce of gentian root 
scraped and sliced, and half a dram of cochineal. Pour to these 
ingredients a pint of the best brandy; shake the bottle well, 
several times, during that and the following day 9 let it stand 
two days more to settle ; and clear it off into bottles for use. — 
Take one or two spoonsfull morning and evening, in a glass of 
wine, or even in a cup of tea. As a pleasant and safe family 
medicine this elixir of Dr. Stoughton is highly recommended. 

Dutch Beef. 

Take the 'lean part of a round of beef, rub it well, all over 
with brown sugar, and let it remain so five or six hours, turning 
it as many times in the pan or tray where it is placed ; then, 
salting it well with common salt and saltpetre, let it remain a 
fortnight, only turning it once a day. At the end of that time, 
roll it up very tightly in a coarse cloth, set it in a cheese of 
other press, for a day and a night, and hang it, to dry in the 
smoke of a chimney where a wood fire is kept. It should be 
boiled in a cloth ; and when cold, is to be cut off in thin slices 
for use. 



9j2 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Excellent medicine for Shortness of Breath. 

Mix three quarters of an ounce of finely powdered senna, 
half an ounce of flour of sulphur, and a quarter of an ounce of 
pounded ginger, in four ounces of clarified honey. Take the 
bigness of a nutmeg every night and morning for five days suc- 
cessively, afterwards once a week for some time, and finally , 
once a fortnight. 

Tlie famous Portugal Diet Drink for fevers. 

Boil rather more than a pint and a half of spring water, and 
put into it half a gill of lemon juice, two ounces of fine powd( r- 
ed loaf sugar, and a scruple of cochineal. Let this mixture con- 
tinue boiling a little, just so as to admit of the scum being taken 
off; put it by to cool and settle ; and pouring off the clear, udd 
to it a gill of damask rosewater. " This decoction," says an 
eminent physician, "comes recommended by its pleasant colour, 
and grateful taste, and is a most desirable drink in fevers ; for it 
restrains the heat and fever of the stomach and blood, quenches 
thirst, and acts as a gentle diuretic. It may be drank at pleasure 
without any limitation." 

Doctor Fuller's Chymical Snuff, for the headache, palsy, and drow- 
sy complaints. 

Take half a scruple of turpith mineral, half a dram of pow- 
dered liquorice, a scruple of nutmeg, and two drops of oil of 
rosemary ; make them all into a very fine powder, and snuff up 
into the nose a very small quantity. This is so wonderfully 
powerful, that it brings off thin lymph through the nose so plen- 
tifully, that no one could imagine who has not seen its effects. 
Doctor Fuller, therefore, advises that it should not be often re- 
peated without snuffing up after it a little warm milk or oil, to 
prevent any soreness by its fretting the membrane of the nos- 
trils. 

Expeditious and effectual cure for the St. Anthony's Fire. 

Take equal parts of fine spirit or oil of turpentine, and highly 
rectified spirits of wine, mix them well together, and anoint the 
face gently with a feather dipped in it immediately after shak- 
ing the bottle. Do this often, always first shaking the bottle, 
and taking care never to approach the eyes, and it will gener- 
ally effect a cure in a day or two ; for though it seems at first to 
inflcime, it actually softens and heals. This receipt is transcrib- 
ed from a valuable collection. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 93 

Saponaceous draught for the Yellow Jaundice. 

Take from two to four scruples of Castile or Venice soap, 
according to the age and state of the patient, and the disease, 
boil it in six ounces of nhlk till reduced to four ; then add three 
drams of sugar, and strain it for a draught. This quantity is 
to be taken every morning and afternoon for four or five days 
and is esteemed a most prevailing medicine against the jaun- 
dice. (The celebrated French physician Barbette, relates his 
having cured with a similar saponaceous draught, a young wo- 
man of the most dreadful epileptic fits, with winch she had been 
afflicted nearly a year. After once purging her, he gave her 
twice a day half a dram of Venice soap, boiled in six ounces of 
milk till reduced to three, for each dose ; which, in about thirty 
days, completely cured her.) 

Speedy remedy for a bruised Eye. 

Boil a handful of hyssop leaves in a little water, till they are 
quite tender, then put them up in linen, and apply it hot to the 
eye : tie it on tightly at bedtime, and the eye wifl next day be 
quite well. In the original i*eceipt from which the above was 
taken, it is said, that " A man who had his thigh terribly bruised 
by the kick of a horse, was cured in a few hours only, by a 
poultice of hyssop leaves, cut or minced very small, and beaten 
up with unsaited butter." 

Russian method of preserving Green Peas for winter. 

Put into a kettle of boiling hot water any quantity of fresh 
shelled green peas ; and after just letting them boil up, pour 
them into a colander. When the liquor has drained off, pour 
them into a large thick cloth, cover them over with another, 
make them quite dry, and set them once or twice in a cool 
oven, to harden a little ; after which, put them into paper bags 
and hang them up in the kitchen for use. To prepare them, 
when wanted, they are to be first soaked well for an hour or 
more, and then put into cold water and boiled, with a few sprigs 
of mint, otherwise a little butter. 

Admirable wash for the Hair, to thicken its growth. 

Take two ounces each of rosemary, maidenhair, southern* 
wood, myrtle berries, and hazel bark ; and burn them to ashes 
on a clean hearth, or in an oven ; with these ashes make a 
strong lye, with which wash the hair at the roots everyday? 



<J4 eOMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY- 

and keep it cut short. This lixivium, it is said, will destroy that 
unsuspected enemy to the hair, the worm at the root. 

Incomparable keeping Mustard. 

Boil a sufficient quantity of horseradish in the best white wine 
vinegar, add to it half asmuch mountain or good raisin wine, 
and a little double refined sugar ; then make it up to a proper 
consistency with the best unadulterated Durham flour of mustard 
stop it up close, and it will keep for years. Mustard thus made 
has an inconceivably fine spirit and flavour. Common keeping 
mustard may be made by only substituting water for the vine- 
gar, with or without garlic, and a little salt. The flower of 
mustard should be gradually mixed with the boiling water or 
vinegar, to a proper thickness, and rubbed pefectly smooth. 

An effectual mode of freeing a Room from the offensive Smell oc 
casioned by a dead Rat, or other vermin. 

Take a small earthen vessel or gallipot, into which put a Ut- 
ile saltpetre, more or less according to the size of the room ; 
pour upon this a sufficient quantity of the oil of vitriol so as 
completely to saturate it, and shut the room up closely for an 
hour, in which time it will be found to be perfectly free from 
the offensive smell. 

Fine Marmalade for a Cough or Cold. 

Stone six ounces of the best Malaga raisins, and beat them to 
a very fine paste with the same quantity of sugar candy ; then 
add half an ounce of conserve of roses, twenty-five drops of oil 
of vitriol, and twenty drops of oil of sulphur. Mix the whole 
well together, and take about the quantity of a nutmeg night 
and morning. A less quantity will suffice for children accord- 
ing to their age. 

Liquid for removing Spots of Grease, Pitch, or Oil, from Woollen 
Cloth. 

In a pint of spring water dissolve an ounce of pure pearlash, 
adding to the solution a lemon cut in small slices ; this being 
properly mixed, and kept in a warm state for two days, the 
whole mass must be strained, and the clear liquid kept in a hot, 
fle for use. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 95 

Iron Moulds. 

Those spots called iron moulds, may generally be soon taken 
out, either by means of lemon juice and a hot iron, in the same 
manner as dried ink spots, or a little essential salt of lemons 
rubbed over the spot, while the linen is laid on a boiling hot 
water plate. 

To take, Ink Stains out of Mahogany. 

Put a few drops of spirits of sea salt or oil of vitriol in a tea- 
spoonfull of water, and touch the stain or spot with a feather j 
and, on the ink's disappearing, rub it over with a rag wetted in 
cold water, or there will be a white mark not easily effaced. 

Red Mixture for giving a fine colour to Mahogany Furniture. 

Stains of ink being first removed by the above method, wash 
the tables or other furniture with vinegar, and then rub them 
all over with a red mixture made in the following manner : Put 
into a pint of cold drawn linseed oil, fourpenny worth of alka- 
net root, and twopenny worth of rose-pink, stir them well to- 
gether in an earthen vessel, and let them remain all night, 
when the mixture being again well stirred, will be immediately 
fit for use. When it has been left an hour on the furniture, it 
may be rubbed off till bright with linen cloths, and will soon 
have a beautiful colour, as well as a glossy appearance. 

Pill for an aching hollow Tooth. 

Take half a grain each of opium and yellow subsulphate of 
quicksilver, formerly called turpith mineral, make them into a 
pill, "and place it in the hollow of the tooth some hours before 
bedtime, Avith a small piece of wax over the hole, when it is said 
never to fail effecting a complete cure. It was communicated 
by a learned physician at York. 

Infallible Powder for Shortness of Breath. 

This excellent remedy is particularly recommended to young 
ladies affected with that complaint. It is thus directed to be 
made : Take an ounce each of caraway seed and anise seed, 
half an ounce of liquorice, a large nutmeg, an ounce of prepar- 
ed steel, and two ounces of double refined sugar ; reduce the 
whole to a very fine powder, and take as much as will lie on a 
cent, every morning fasting, and the same quantity at five in 
the afternoon. It will be requisite to use exercise while taking 



9G COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

this medicine, which generally very soon effects a cure. Where 
a prejudice against the use of steel exists, the medicine may be 
tried without it, and will often thus afford relief. 

Excellent Embrocation for (lie Whooping Cough. 

Mix Avell together half an ounce each of spirits of hartshorn 
and oil of amber, with which plentifully anoint the palms of the 
hands, the soles of the feet, and the pit of the stomach, the arm- 
pits and the back bone, every morning and evening for a month 
suffering no water to come near the parts thus anointed, though 
the fingers and the backs of the hands may be wiped with, a 
damp cloth. It should be rubbed in near the fire, and care used 
to prevent taking cold afterwards. It is best only to make the 
above quantity at a time, because by frequently opening the 
bottle much of the virtue will be lost. It would be best to keep 
it in a glass-stopper bottle, to prevent the effluvia of the harts- 
horn from escaping. These directions being followed, its use 
Avill seldom fail of being attended with the most complete effect, 
even in a shorter time than it has been judged prudent to direct 
it to be continued, and it can never be of the least injury even 
to the most delicate infant. 

Speedy Cure for a Sprain. 

Take a large spoonful of honey, the same quantity of salt, 
and the white of an egg, beat the whole up together incess;intly 
for two hours, then let it stand an hour and anoint the place 
sprained with the oil which will be produced from the mixture, 
keeping the part well rolled with a good bandage. This is said, 
generally, to have enabled persons with sprained ankles to walk 
in twenty-four hours, entirely free from pain. 

Excellent Wash for numbed or trembling hands. 

These disagreeable complaints are said to be soon remedied 
by the very simple expedient of frequently washing the hands 
so affected in a strong decoction of wormwood and mustard seed 
to be strained and used when cold. 

Easy and effectual method of rendering all kinds of Paper Fire 
Proof 

This surprising effect is produced by a simple cause. It is 
only necessary that the paper, whether plain, coloured, written, 
printed, or stained, should be immersed in a strong solution of 
alum water, and afterwards thoroughly dried, when it wil] hn- 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 9? 

mediately become fire proof. This experiment may easily be 
made by holding a piece of paper thus prepared over the flame 
of a candle. Some paper, however, will require to imbibe more 
of the solution than it can do by a single immersion, in which 
case the dipping and drying must be repeated till the paper be- 
comes fully saturated. It is asserted, that neither the colour 
nor quality of the paper will receive the least injury from this 
operation, but that, on the contrary, they will be improved. 

Mode of rendering Shoes, Boots, Sfc. Water Proof. 

Melt together, over a slow fire, a quart of boiled linseed oik 
a pound of mutton suet, three quarters of a pound of beeswax 
and half a pound of rosin, and with this mixture, when the shoes 
or boots are new, quite clean, and have been a little warmed, 
rub them all over, soles as well as upper leather, till the leather 
is completely saturated with the composition. The following 
preparation is by some preferred, chiefly on account of its supe- 
rior softness. To a quart of drying oil, put a quarter of a pound 
of beeswax, four ounces of spirits of tm-pentine, and an ounce of 
Burgundy pitch, which melt together carefully over a slow fire. 
With this mixture rub the boots or shoes at a small distance 
from the fire or in the sun, with a brush or sponge. This ope- 
ration must be repeated as often as they become dry, until the 
leather is completely saturated, when they will not only be ren- 
dered impervious to wet, but last much longer than boots or 
shoes which have not undergone this process. It will be neces- 
sary, however, not to wear the boots or shoes thus prepared 
till they have gradually become perfectly dry and elastic, which 
requires a considerable length of time, as from the extreme soft- 
ness of the leather, if not thoroughly dried, they are apt to 
wear out much sooner than when made in the common way. 

A cheap and excellent Custard* 

Boil in a quart of milk, a little lemon peel, a small stick of 
cinnamon, and a couple of peach-leaves, sweeten it with a few 
lumps of sugar, and rubbing down smoothly two table-spoon sfull 
of rice flour in a small basin of cold milk, mix it with the beat- 
en yolk of a single egg, then take a basin of the boiling milk, 
and well mixing it with the contents of the other basin, pour., 
the whole into the remainder of the boiling milk, and keep stir- 
ring it all one way, till it begins to thicken, and is about to boil 5 
it mast then instantly be taken off and put into a pan, stirred a 
Tittle together, and it may be served up either together in a dish, 
or in custard-cups, to be eaten hot or cold. 

13 



98 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

The honourable Mr. Boyle's Genuine Sirup fer Coughs, spitting of 
Blood, Sfc. 

This excellent remedy cannot be made too public — It is thus 
prepared. Take six ounces of cumfrey root, and twelve hands- 
full of plantain leaves : cut and beat them well ; strain out the 
juice ; and, with an equal weight of sugar, boil it to a sirup. 

Best method of making Sage Cheese. 

Take the tops of young red sage, and having pressed the 
juice from them by beating in a mortar, do the same with the 
leaves of spinach and then mix the two juices together. After 
putting the rennet to the milk, pour in some of this juice, regu- 
lating the quantity by the degree of colour and taste it is intend" 
ed to give to the cheese. As the curd appears break it gently 
and in an equal manner: then, emptying it into the cheese- 
vat, let it be a little pressed, in order to make it eat mellow. — 
Having stood for about seven hours, salt and turn it daily for 
four or rive wee' s, when it will be fit to eat. The spinach, be- 
sides improving the flavour and correcting the bitterness of 
the sage, will give it a much finer colour than can be obtained 
from sage alone. 

A famous French Remedy for the Dysentery. 

Take two large nutmegs grossly pounded, twenty pepper 
corns, and the same number of cloves, an ounce of bruised 
cinnamon, and an ounce of oak bark from an old tree, grossly 
rasped. Boil the whole in three quarts of milk, till it has di- 
minished a fourth part : then, straining the decoction, divide it 
it into four equal parts, and (rive the patient one portion every 
six hours, day and night. It' the appetite be lost, so that the 
patient is unable to eat, this milk will afford sufficient nourish' 
ment. The first quantity taken warm appeases the pain and 
griping : and the same is to be repeated the second and third 
days. This remedy cures, in three or four days, the flux of 
blood and of the belly, however violent. It does not cure sud- 
denly ; but softens and strengthens the bowels by slow and sure 
degrees. In the mean time, if the patient should wish for food, 
it may be taken by him in moderation. 

Cure for the Cramp. 

In Italy, as an infallible cure, a new cork is cut in thin slices, 
and a riband passed through the centre of them, tied round the 
affected limb, laying the corks flat on the skin ; while thus worn, 
they prevent any return of the cramp. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 99 

The famous Balm of Gilead Oil, a speedy and incomparable 
remedy for broken shins, and other green wounds, bums, bruis~ 
es, Sfc. 

This excellent family oil, which should be kept in every house, 
is made in the following simple manner. Put loosely into a 
bottle of any size, as many balm of gilead flowers as will reach 
to about one third part of its height, then nearly fill up the bot- 
tle with good sweet oil, and after shaking it a little occasionally 
and letting it infuse a day or two, it is fit for use. It must be 
very closely stopped, and will then not only keep for years, but 
be the better for keeping. When it is about half used, the bot- 
tle may again be filled up with oil, and well shaken ; and in two 
or three days, it will be as good as at first. — The most alarming 
cuts and bruises of the shin, which are so frequently rendered 
worse by spirituous balsams, salves, &c. are completely cured 
in a few days, and sometimes in a few hows, by this incompar- 
able oil. 

Embrocation for the Rheumatism, Palsey, fyc. 

Take four ounces each of good fresh butter, and common 
hard soap, a quartern of brandy, and ten ounces of the white 
part only of leeks, torn or twisted off from the green, but not 
cut with a knife, or washed. Put the butter into a pipkin, add 
the white of the leeks torn and broken small, set the pipkin in 
boiling water, stir the ingredients till they are well mixed, and 
quite soft, and then put in the thinly scraped soap. When that 
also is well mixed, add the brandy by degrees, and continue 
stirring the whole till it becomes an ointment. With this rub 
every part well which is affected by the disorder, morning and 
evening before the fire till the skin is completely saturated.— 
This, in most parts of France, is considered as a never failing 
remedy. 

Curious and simple manner of keeping Apricots, Peaches, Plums, fyc. 
fresh all the year. By M. Lemery. 

Beat well up together equal quantities of honey and spring 
water ; pour it into an earthen vessel, put in the fruits all fresh- 
ly gathered and cover them up quite close. When any of the 
fruit is taken out, wash it in cold water, and it is fit for immedi- 
ate use. 



100 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Art of Dying, or staining leather Gloves, to resemble the beautiful 
York Tan, Limerick dye, Sfc. 

These different hues of yellow brown, or tan colour, are 
"readily given to leather gloves by the following simple process. 
Steep saffron in boiling hot soft water for about twelve hours ; 
then, having slightly sewed up the tops of the gloves, to prevent 
the die from staining the insides, wet them over with a sponge 
or soft brush, dipped into the liquid. The quantity of saffron, 
as well as of water, will of course depend on how much dye 
may be wanted : and their relative proportions, on the depth of 
colour required. A common tea cup will contain a sufficient 
quantity for a single pair of gloves.* 

Excellent Spruce Beer. 

Pour eight gallons of cold water into a barrel, and then, boil- 
ing eight gallons more, put that in also : to this, add twelve 
pounds of molasses, with about half a pound of the essence of 
spruce ; and on its getting a little cooler, half a pint of j^ood ale 
yeast. The whole being well stirred, or rolled in the barrel, must 
be left with the bung out for two or three days, after which the 
liquor may be immediately bottled, well corked up, and packed 
in saw-dust or sand, when it will be ripe and fit to drink in a 
fortnight. If spruce beer be made from the branches or cones 
they must be boiled for two hours, then strained into a barrel 
and the molasses and yeast added as to the essence. 

German Cement for mending Glass and China. 

Reduce, separately, to the finest powder, equal quantities of 
unslaked lime and hint glass, and as much litharge as both of 
them together ; the proportions to be aej isted by measure, 
when reduced to powder. Mix them well together, and work 
them up into a thin paste with old drying oil. This cement, or 
paste, which is very durable, will even acquire a greater de- 
gree of hardness when immersed in water. 

Cheap metlwd of House painting without oil, as practised in Ger- 
many and Russia. 

For a white colour, bruise lumps of fresh curd, and put them 
into an earthen pan with an equal quantity of lime well quench- 
ed in water and become thick enough for kneading. Stir the 
mixture briskly without any addition of water, and white fluid 
will soon appear, which may be applied with as much facihty 
by means of a brush, as any paint or varnish, and dries much 
quicker than either, without having any bad smell. It must, 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 101 

however, be all used immediately on being prepared, as it will 
next day become too thick for use. When two coats of this 
white paint have been used, it may be polished with a piece of 
woollen cloth, &c After polishing, if the place be exposed to 
moisture, brush it over with white of egg, which will render it 
as durable as oil painting. Several other colours may be pre- 
pared by mixing ochre, Armenian bole, &c. which are not lia- 
ble to be injured by the lime, after they have been well leviga- 
ted. 

Art of extracting spots of oil, tallow, fyc.from Prints, Books, and 
Papers of all kinds, without the least injury to the printing or 
writing. 

j Having got ready some common blotting paper, gently warm 
the spotted part of the book or paper damaged by the grease, 
and, as it melts, take up as much as possible, by repeated ap- 
phcatons of fresh bits of the blotting paper. When no more 
can be thus imbibed, dip a small brush in the essential oil of well 
rectified spirits of turpentine, heated almost to a boiling state, 
and wet with it both sides of the paper, which should also be 
at the* same time a little warm. This operation must be re- 
peated tilhall the grease is extracted ; when another brush, dip- 
ped in highly rectified spirits of wine, being passed over the 
same part, the spot or spots will entirely disappear, and the pa- 
per reassume its original whiteness, without the least detriment 
to the paper, or the printing or writing thereon. 

Cheap and excellent Blue for Ceilings, fyc. 

Boil slowly, for three hours a pound of blue vitriol, and half 
a pound of the best whiting, in about three quarts of water ; 
stir it frequently while boiling, and also on taking it off the fire. 
When it has stood till quite cold, pour off the blue liquor ; then 
mix the cake of colour with good size, and use it with a plas- 
terer's brush in the same manner as white-wash, either for walls 
or ceilings. 

Russian mode of Painting on Walls with Oil Colours. 

Paint or brush over the lime or plastered wall intended for 
any oil colour, with the white of eggs mixed in size, both of 
them of a consistence thin enough to sink in, and when dry, 
paint the whole over with a coat of pure yolk of eggs only. — 
This will effectually prevent the oil colours from being injured 
by the lime, though it will not answer for vegetable water col- 
ours. 



IQt COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Co-rant Wine, called English Champagne, a much extolled 
preparation. 

Boil in six gallons of water eighteen pounds of either white 
Havanna or loaf sugar, for half an hour, carefully taking off 
the scum as it rises, and pour it boiling hot over two gallons 
of fine large white currants, picked from the stalks, but not 
bruised. On the liquor's becoming near the temperature of 
new milk, ferment jt with some good ale yeast; and after suf- 
fering it to work for two days, strain it through a flannel bag 
into a barrel, which it should completely fill, with half an ounce 
of v ell bruised isinglass. On its ceasing to ferment, immediate- 
ly bottle it off, and put in each bottle a lump of double refined 



Preserved Strawberries. 

Get the largest and finest strawberries, fresh gathered in very- 
dry weather, when there has been no rain for two days at least, 
leave their stalks on, and lay them separately on an earthen 
dish, sift twice their weight of double refined sugar over them, 
then bruise a few of the over-ripe berries, and put them in a 
basin, with their weight of sifted sugar, cover the basin and set 
it in a stewpan of boiling water, till the juice comes out and 
thickens, then strain it through muslin in a preserving pan, boil 
it up, skim it carefully, and let it stand to cool, put the whole 
strawberries into the sirup, and set them over the stove till they 
get a little warm, then take them off to cool, and again heat 
them a little more ; this must be repeated several times, till they 
become quite clear ; the hottest degree, however, must not 
amount to a boil. If at all likely to break, they must be instant- 
ly taken from the fire. When quite cold, put them into pots 
or glasses, and if intended for long keeping, pour a little apple 
jelly over them. They eat deliciously served with thin cream 
in glasses, either iced or plain. 

Melon Citron Sweetmeats. 

Cut half ripe melons, not of too large a size into quarters, 
and taking out the seeds, lay them on salt and water, for at 
least forty-eight hours. Having prepared a good quantity of 
thin common sirup of sugar, and wiped dry the pieces of mel- 
on, simmer them in it for nearly twenty minutes ; then letting 
them remain in the simp till the next day, again boil them 
gentry up as before. Repeat this simmering the two following 
(lavs'; and. taking them out of the sirup, boil it up with a glass 
of* white wine, and a quarter of a glass of brandy, to every pint 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 10S- 

of sirup, adding also a little more sugar. After the sirup has 
been well scummed, is completely clarified, and boiled nearly to 
a candy height, put in the melons, pour the whole into glasses, 
and let them stand till next day to cool. When quite cold close 
them up with bladder and leather for use ; or they may be af- 
terwards dried and candied in the usual way as directed for oth- 



er fruits. With a little essence of citron, &c. it 



s easy to give 



them the flavour as well as appearance of candled citron 

German Furniture Glass, or Polishing Wax for Mahogany Fur- 
niture, 8fc. 

Cut in small pieces a quarter of a pound of yellow wax, and 
melting it in a pipkin, add an ounce of well pounded colophony, 
which is a black resin or turpentine boiled in water, and after- 
wards dried. These being both melted, pour in by degrees, 
quite warm, two ounces of spirit of turpentine. When the whole 
is thoroughly mixed, pour it off into a tin or earthen pot, and 
keep it covered for use. The method of applying it, after well 
dusting and cleaning the furniture, is by spreading a little of it 
on a piece of woollen cloth, and well rubbing the wood with it 3 
and in a few days the gloss will be as firm and as fast as var- 
nish. 



Art of dressing Flax so as to resemble Silk, as practised in Ger- 
many. 

Take one part of lime, and between two and three parts of 
wood ashes ; pour over them a due proportion of water to make 
a strong and sharp lye after they have stood together all night, 
which must be poured off when quite clear. Tie handsfuil of 
flax at both ends, to prevent its entangling, but let the middle of 
each be spread as open as possible, in a kettle, on the bottom of 
which has first been placed a little straw with a cloth over it. 
Then put another cloth over the flax, and so continue covering- 
each layer of flax with a cloth, till the kettle be nearly- full. — 
Pour over the whole the clear lye, and after boding it for some 
hours take it out, and throw it in cold water. This boiling, &c. 
may be repeated, if judged requisite. The flax must- be each 
time dried, hackled, beaten, and rubbed fine ; and, at length 
first dressed through a large comb and then through a very fine 
one. By this process the flax acquires a beautifully bright and 
soft thread. The tow, which is beaten off, when papered up 
and combed like cotton, is not ©nly used for many of the same 
purposes, bwt makes an excellent lint for wounds* 



104 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Good Liquid Blacking for Boots and Shoes. 

Mix a quarter of a pound of ivory black with a table spooa- 
ful of sweet oil, dissolve a penny-worth of copperas, and three 
table spoonsfull of molasses, in a quart of vinegar, afterwards 
adding two penny-worth of vitriol, and then mixing the whole 
well together, it forms a good liquid blacking for shoes, &c. 

Ready mode of mending cracks in Stoves, Pipes, and Iron Ovens, 
as practised in Germany. 

When a crack is discovered in a stove, through winch the 
fire or smoke penetrates, the aperture may be completely clos- 
ed in a moment with a composition consisting of wood ashes 
and common salt, made up into a paste with a little water, and 
plastered over the crack. The good effect is equally certain, 
whether the stove, &c. be cold or hot. 

Chinese Yellow Stain, or Dye for Silks, Stuffs and Paper. 

Roast, over a clear and gentle fire, in a very clean copper 
pan, half a pound of the flowers of the acacia, or, as it is cal- 
led in America, the locust, before they are full blown ; continu- 
ally stirring them with a brisk motion ; and when they begin 
to turn yellow, pour over them a little water, and let it boil till 
it becomes of some consistence, and has also acquired a deeper 
colour. Then straining the liquid through a piece of coarse 
silk, add to it half an ounce of finely pulverized alum, and an 
ounce of calcined and finely powdered oyster shells ; mix the 
•whole well together, and keep it for use. 

Fly Water. 

This preparation, though not less fatal to flies than the arse- 
nic preparation, is innoxious to men. Dissolve two drains of 
the extract of quassia in half a pint of boiling water ; and ad- 
ding a little sugar or sirup, pour the mixture on plates. To this 
enticing food, the flies are extremely partial, and it never fails 
to destroy them. 

Liquid to take out spots or stains of ink, red wine, iron 'mould, 
mildew, fyc. 

Mix an ounce each of sal ammoniac and salt of tartar, in a 
quart bottle of water, and keep it for use. Soak and wash out 
in this liquid the table linen, &c. thus spotted or stained j and 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 105 

after the colour is discharged, get them up in the usual manner, 
and there will remain no visible effect of the injury. 

Dr. WillougJiby's celebrated Pills for the Palsy) Convulsion Fits 
which affect the head, Vapours, Insanity, fyc. 

Take equal parts of galbanum^ assafetida and saffron, dried 
and powdered ; beat them well in a marble mortar, with suffi- 
cient mithridate to make a good consistence for pills ; and, to 
each ounce, after the whole is thus mixed, put three drams of 
amber. Keep it closely covered in the manner of a conserve ; 
and roll up, for a grown person, two large pills, every night and 
morning, to be taken for at least a month. 

Remedy for a Whitlow. 

Mix in a phial one tea spoonful of tincture of opium, a drajn 
of camphor dissolved in an ounce of spirits of wine, and twenty 
drops of extract of saturn. Bathe the whitlow with a little of 
this liquid, and keep it covered with a fine linen rag, frequently 
wetted in the same, till the cure is effected. An ointment made 
with two ounces of mutton suet, an ounce of finely pounded 
rosin, and half an ounce of olive oil, is also a most assured 
remedy for a whitlow or a felon. 

Dairy secret for increasing the quantity of Cream. 

Have ready two pans in boiling water ; and on the new 
milk's coming,, take out the hot pans, put the milk into one of 
them, and cover it over with the other. This will occasion, in 
the usual time, a great augmentation of the thickness and quan- 
tity of the cream. 

Long's Pills for a sick headache. 

Take Castile soap one dram and a half; rhubarb, in- powder, 
forty grains ; oil of juniper twenty drops ; sirup of ginger a 
sufficient quantity to form the whole into twenty pills. The 
dose is two or three of these pills, to be taken occasionally. 

Capital Oyster Catsup. 

Take a hundred bruised oysters, with their liquor, a pound of 
anchovies, three pints of white wine, and a sliced lemon, with 
half the peel. Boil them together, gently, for an hour ; then, 
Straining them through muslin, put in half an ounce each of 

14 



106 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

cloves and mace, with a sliced nutmeg, and boil the whole a 
quarter of an hour longer ; after which, add twelve eschalots ; 
and when cold, bottle it for use. 

Edinburgh Eye Water., 

Put white vitriol the bigness of a nut into two gills of white 
rose-water, with as much fine loaf sugar as vitrol. When it is 
dissolved shake the bottle, and on going to bed, wash the eyes 
with it, using a soft clean cloth. This is said to be as good an 
eye water as ever was made. 

Tincture for the Teeth and Gums. 

Mix six ounces of the Peruvian bark with half an ounce of 
sal ammoniac. Shake them well a few minutes every time be- 
fore the tincture is used. The method of using it is, to take a 
tea spoonful and hold it near the teeth ; then with a finger 
dipped in it rub the teeth and gums, which are afterwards to be 
washed with warm water. This tincture not only cures the 
toothache, but preserves both the teeth and gums, and makes 
them adhere to each other. 

Greek remedy for a Weak Stomach. 

Infuse, in a pint of wine, one dram each of powdered myrrh* 
frankincense, wormwood, and castor, for eight or ten days, of 
which take a glass after dinner and it will wonderfully assist di- 
gestion. 

Excellent composition for taking out Stains or Grease Spots from 
Silk, Cotton, or Woollen. 

To two ounces of spirits of wine, add one ounce of French 
chalk, and five ounces of tobacco pipe-clay, both in fine powder. 
Make this mixture into rolls about the length of a finger, and let 
them dry. This composition is to be applied by rubbing on the 
spots, either dry or wet, and afterwards brushing the part rubbed 
therewith. 

Easy and effectual method of preserving Eggs perfectly fresh for 
twelve montlis. 

Having provided small casks, like oyster barrels, fill them 
with fresh laid eggs, then pour into each cask, the head being 
first taken out, as much cold thick lime water, as will fill up all the 
void spaces between the eggs, and likewise completely cover 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 107 

them. The thicker the^ lime water is made, the better, provi- 
ded it will fill up all the interstices and be liquid at the top of 
the cask. This done, lay. on the head of the cask lightly . — 
No farther care is necessary than merely to prevent the hme 
from growing too hard, by adding, occasionally, a little common 
water on the surface, should it seem so disposed, and keeping 
the casks from heat and frost. The eggs when taken out for 
use, are to lie washed from the adhering lime with a little cold 
water, when they will have every appearance of fresh eggs. 

An admirable Beverage for a Weak Constitution. 

Boil as much pearl, or Scotch barley, in pure water, as will 
make about three pints, then straining it off, and, having in the 
mean time, dissolved an ounce of gum arabic in a little water, 
mix them, and just boil the whole up together. The barley 
water need not be thick, as the gum will give it sufficient con- 
sistence. When used, take it milk warm ; the good effect will 
soon appear. It must be substituted as a common beverage in- 
place of beer, ale, &c. at meals. 

Easy method of securing Furs and Woollens from Moths. 

Sprinkle the furs or woolen stuffs, as well as the drawers or 
boxes in which they are kept, with spirits of turpentine ; the 
unpleasant scent of which will speedily evaporate, on exposure 
of the stuffs to the air. Some persons place sheets of paper, 
moistened with spirits of turpentine, over, under or between 
pieces of cloth, &c. and find it a very effectual method. 

French method of purifying rancid or tainted Butter. 

Let the butter be melted and scummed as for clarifying, then 
put into it a piece of bread well toasted all over. In a minute 
or two the butter will lose its offensive taste and smell, but the 
bread will become perfectly fetid. 

Composition for preserving Wood against injury from Fire 
Works. 

Put into a pot equal quantities of finely pulverized iron fil- 
ings, brick dust, and ashes, pour over them size or glue water, 
?et the whole near the fire, and, when warm, stir them well to- 
gether. With this liquid composition, or size, wash over all 
the woodwqrk which might be in danger ; and, on its getting 
dry, give it a second coat, when it will be sufficiently proof 
against any. damage by fire. 



108 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY, 

Blackberry Powder, cm admirable remedy for a Flux. 

Gather blackberries, when full grown, but before they begin 
to turn black, -and picking off the husks, dry them in a cool oven, 
and keep them closely covered in a dry situation. When 
wanted for use, beat them to powder, pass it through a fine 
sieve, and take as much as will lie on a quarter ol'a dollar in 
simple cinnamon water. It may be taken the first thing in tlie 
morning, as well as the last at night ; or even oftener where 
the disease is violent. 

Beautiful crimson Dije for ivoollen cloths or stuffs, tyc. 

To dye sixteen pounds weight of any woollen articles, boil 
somewhat more than twelve gallons of water, and putting mto 
it sixteen handsfull of wheat bran, stir it well, let it stand all 
night to settle, and in the morning strain off the clear liquor 
Mix half this liquor with as much clean water, as will admit 
the cloths or stuffs to be commodiously worked in it ; and 
having boiled the mixed liquor, add to it a pound of alum and 
half a pound of tartar. After boiling these well together, put 
in the goods and boil them for two hours ; keeping them con- 
tinually stirring (especially if they are of wool or worsted) from 
top to bottom, in order thoroughly to finish them. Boil the re- 
mainder of the bran water with an equal quantity, or rather 
more of fair water; and when it boils rapidly, put in four oun- 
ces of cochineal, and two ounces of pure white tartar, in pow- 
der ; stirring the whole about, and taking great care that it 
neither runs over nor boils too fast. When it is very well boil- 
ed, put in the cloth, stuffs, &c. and stir them about till they ap- 
pear to have every where well taken the dye ; then cool them, 
and rinse them out. 

Green Dye for silk. 

For even 7 pound of silk, dissolve a quarter of a pound of al- 
um and two ounces of white wine tartar, both beaten small 
in hot water. Soak the silk in it all night, and next morning 
lake out the silk and dry it. This done, boil a pound of broom 
in a pail and a half of water, for an hour or longer ; then taking 
out the broom, throw it awajug and put in half an ounce of 
pounded verdjgrise, stirring it about well with a stick. Put the 
silk in for a quarter of an hour ; after which take it out and let 
it remain till cold. Then put in an ounce of potash, stir it 
about and put the silk in again. Keep it in the dye till it seems 
sufficiently yellow ; then rinse it out, and let it dry ; after which 
put it into the blue dye vat, or copper, and let it remain there 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 10S> 

till it becomes of a sufficiently dark green, when it must be beat- 
en or dried. By letting it continue in a longer or shorter time., 
a darker or lighter green will be obtained ; as at first only a 
very faint green is produced. 

Silk straw colour Dye. 

Alum and rinse the silk, and for every pound of it boil the 
same weight of broom flowers, a quarter of an hour. Then 
put it into a tub ; add an equal quantity of water ; and after 
stirring the silk in it, fill the kettle again with water, and 
boil it half an hour. The silk being wrung out of the first suds, 
put the flowers into the second ; and should there be occasion, 
make some still stronger, and stir the silk in till the colour be 
sufficiently heightened ; then rinse it out, and hang it up to dry. 

Blue Dye for silk. 

Procure a tub which may be closely covered, put into it a lye 
made of three pailsfull of rain or river water and clean beach 
wood ashes ; adding two handsfull of wheat bran, two ounces each 
of madder and white wine tartar and half a pound of pounded in- 
digo. Stir it well together with a stick every twelve hours, for 
fourteen days, till it tinges a sort of green ; but when the dye 
giows bright, it must be stirred only every morning. Put the 
silk into a warm fresh lye, wring it out, and then stir it about in 
the dye for some time- Afterwards let it hang in the dye ac- 
cording to the custom of dyers. Besides the blue copper or 
kettle, there ought always to be another full of lye for rinsing 
the silk when it is wrung out of the dye ; and after it is very 
cleanly wrung out of the lye, it should be rinsed in river water ? 
beat and dried. If the silk be moistened in this latter lye of 
suds before it be dried, there is no need of the first mentioned 
lye. With this dye several sorts of blue may easily be made j 
either brighter or darker, according to the time the silks are 
left in ; and when the copper gets low, it may be. filled up out 
of the rinsing vat. When the blue copper or vat grows too 
weak, put in a quarter of a pound of pounded indigo, half a 
pound of potash, half an ounce of madder, a handful of wheat 
bran, and a quarter of an ounce of pounded tartar ; and hav- 
ing let it stand eight days without using, stir it well every twelve 
hours ; it may then be used as at first. 

Light purple Dye for silk. 

Put the silk into a light red dye, but increase the quantity of 
potash, to turn it to purple, then rinse and dry the silk as usual 



110 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTOR?. 

Pleasant Emulsion for a Cough, Cold, or Hoarseness. 

Mix half a pint of hyssop water, half an ounce of oil of al- 
monds, two ounces of powdered loaf sugar, and a tea spoonful 
of hartshorn. Take a table spoonful every night and morning. 
If there beany soreness of the throat or breast, add two tea 
spoonsful! of Friar's Balsam, or Turlington's Drops. 

Cure for a Pimpled Face. 

Take an ounce each of liver of sulphur, roche alum, and 
common salt, and two drams each of sugar-candy and sperma- 
ceti ; pound and sift these articles, then put the whole in a 
quart bottle, and add half a pint of brandy, three ounces of 
white lily water, and the same quantity of pure spring water ; 
shake it well together, and keep it for use. With this liquid the 
face must be freely and frequently bathed ; being always atten- 
tive first to shake the bottle ; and, on going to bed, lay all over 
the face a linen cloth which has been dipped in it. In ten or 
twelve days, at farthest, it is said, that it will effect a complete 
cure. One thing is certain, that nothing in this composition can 
prove injurious. 

Permanent Red Ink for marking Linen. By Dr. Smellie of Ed- 
inburgh. 

Take half an ounce of vermilion, and a dram of salt of steel, 
©r copperas, let them be finely levigated with lmseed oil, to the 
degree of limpidity required for the occasion. This ink, it is 
said, will perfectly resist the effects of acids, as well as of all al- 
kaline lies. It may be made of other colours, by substituting 
the proper articles instead of vermilion, and may be used with 
either types, a hair pencil, or even a pen, but in the latter case 
it will be necessary to thin it still more than it can be done by 
oil, by the addition of spirits of turpentine, so as to enable it to 
flow. 

Portable Balls for taking Spots out of Clothes. 

Take fuller's earth, dried, so as to crumble into powder, and 
moisten it well with lemon juice, then add a small quantity of 
pure pulverized pearl ashes, and work up the whole into a thick 
paste, roll this paste into small balls, let them completely dry 
in the heat of the sun, and they are then fit for immediate use. 
The manner of using them is, by moistening with water the spots 
on the cloth, rubbing the ball over them, and leaving it to dry 
in the sun, when, on washing the spots with common water, and 
often with brushing alone, the spots instantly disappear. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. Ill 

Remedy for a Cow or Ox losing the cud. 

Mix together an equal quantity of sour leaven and cormnoM 
salt, then add a piece of loam or brick clay equal in weight to 
the whole ; break and mix all tbese well together, and then add 
as much urine as will suffice to beat it up into a paste. Make 
this into two or three bails as big as the creature can swallow, 
force one of these down his throat every three days, and it will 
cure him. s 

A cure for the pants in cattle. 

Mix a quart of ale or beer with a gill of urine, to which add 
half an ounce of wood soot, and half a spoonful of rennet ; mix 
the whole well together, and give it at two doses, one in the 
morning, the other in the evening. Repeat this dose afterwards 
every morning before the beast has eat or drank, for four day*, 
or till it is cured. 

For stuting of Mood in cattle. 

Take a dram of sugar of lead, dissolve it in a pint of water, 
and drop into it fifty drops of spirits of vitriol ; give it to the 
beast cold, in three doses, at night, the next morning, and the 
night following. This is a very powerful remedy, and scarcely 
«ver fails of success. It is, however, apt to bring on disorders 
in the bowels. To prevent this the creature must have a com- 
fortable hot mash. This will commonly prevent bad conse- 
quences. 



it an 



An old receipt for rendering Cider perfectly fne, and giving 
agreeable colour. 

Put into a gallon of good French brandy a quarter of an ounce 
of cochineal : when it becomes well tinctured and of a fine red,, 
pour it off clear from the small sediment that there will be at 
the bottom. 

Pour this into a hogshead of cider newly made, putting in at 
the same time half a pound of roll brimstone, and three pounds 
of sugar candy, or double refined loaf sugar. 

Stop it up closely, and when it is fine bottle it off. The col- 
our is pleasing, and no cider keeps so well, or has so good a 
fepdy. 

For destroying Caterpillars, Ants, and other Insects. 

Take of soap one pound and three quarters, the like quantity 
©f flour of sulphur, two pounds of mushrooms, (or toad stools.) 



112 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

and mix the whole, by means of a gentle heat, with fifteen gal- 
lons of water. Sprinkle the insects with this liquor, and it will 
instantly kill them. 

Anotlier method of making a superior Black Writing Ink. 

Take four ounces of the best galls, copperas, calcined to 
whiteness, two ounces and a hal.'j and a quart of rain water or 
stale beer. Let them infuse in it, cold> for twenty -four hours, 
after which add an ounce and a quarter of gum arabic, and pre- 
serve it in a stone jar covered with paper. 

A new method lately discovered of making an excellent Black Wri- 
ting Ink. 

Infuse in a pint of soft water twelve drams of sumach leaves, 
four of sulphat of iron, and two of gum arabic, for twenty-four 
hours, in a vessel placed near the fire, so as to keep the liquor 
moderately hot, after which put it up for use. This ink im- 
proves greatly with age. 

To remove Spots or Stains of any kind from Cloth. 

As cloth frequently becomes stained or spotted by means of 
unknown causes, polychrist compositions should in such cases 
always be used to remove the spot, of which the following is 
one of the most effectual: — Dissolve in alcohol as much whitg 
soap as it will take up, and mix this solution with the yolks of 
from four to six eggs, according to the quantity required ; to 
this add gradually essence of turpentine, and incorporate the 
whole with fuller's earth, so as to form balls of a suitable con- 
sistence. In order to apply it, moisten the spot, and rub it well 
with the ball: on washing the cloth the spot will disappear. — 
All spots, except iron moulds and ink, may be remored in this 
manner. 

Mode of whitening Straw. 

In 1806 a new method of whitening straw was discovered in 
Germany. This consists of steeping it in muriatic acid satura- 
ted with potash. The straw thus prepared never turns yellow, 
is of a shining white, and acquires great flexibility. 

A lasting Violet Dye for Linen. 

Take one pound of tartar, one half pound of alum, two oun- 
■■(-"- of ternambuca and one half ounce of saltpetre. Boil them 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. IIS 

together in sufficient water, and, letting the liquor cool a little, 
put in the linen or yarn, and let it remain for four hours. In 
the mean time the dye must be kept hot> though not suffered to 
boil, then rinse it out and dry it< 

For the cure of Corns, Callous Heels, §c. 

Melt any quantity of common soap, by putting it in small 
pieces into any vessel, placed in a saucepan of hot water over 
the fire. When melted, add to it an equal quantity of coarse 
sea sand, sifted) however^ from the very coarsest particles, still 
keeping it over the fire, until the sand becomes equally hot with 
the soap. Then pour it into a cup or glass, to serve as a mould, 
keeping the mould hot by means of hot water, or otherwise, un- 
til the mixture is completely pressed into a solid mass. When 
it becomes hard, this washball, rubbed occasionally with warm 
water, against corns, or callous heels, will render them quite 
soft and easy. 

For the Whooping Cough. — From a London Publication for 1810. 

Make an ointment of the essential oils of alder, caraway, and 
rosemary, mixed with rose leaves and chamomile flowers, and 
rub the pit of the stomach with it on going to bed. This is 
said to be an effectual remedy. 

To preserve Meat from taint. — From a London Magazine for 1810. 

By packing meat, game, &c. in charcoal, you will preserve it 
from taint. If already tainted, it may be restored in the follow- 
ing manner. Boil a quantity of water sufficient completely to 
immerse the tainted meat, fowl, &c. Have in readiness three or 
four large pieces of charcoal red hot, and plunge into the boiling- 
water the tainted article and the burning charcoal at the same 
time. By the time the coals are quenched, the taint will, in 
most cases, be wholly removed, and the meat or fowl, if intend- 
ed for roasting, immediately taken out, wiped dry with a cloth, 
and instantly put on the spit. This operation ought not to be 
performed until the moment you are going to cook the article. 
Unless the taint has very far advanced, this process will not on- 
ly effectually remove it, but the meat will be found to relish 
more than if it had not occasion for it. 

Major Cochrane^ cure for Colds and Coughs. — From a London 
Magazine for 1811. 

Take half a pound of the heads of the large white poppy, 
when just ripe, free them of the seeds, and dry them moderate- 
15 



114 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

ly. Put them into three quarts of boiling water, and let them 
boil gently till the liquor is reduced to one quart. Squeeze the 
poppies well, in a cloth to express the liquor; boil the liquor 
again slowly down to a pint, and strain it: then add to it a pint 
of white wine vinegar, and one pound of raw sugar. Let them 
boil to the consistence of a sirup ; then add thereto spirit or 
elixir of vitriol so as to make it of a pleasant acid. The dose 
I have recommended for adults is one or two teaspoonsfull, but 
never exceeding three, on going to bed. If the cough contin- 
ues violent, two more may be taken the following morning, — 
One dose will sometimes answer, two in genera), and I have not 
had occasion to employ it more than three times. In young 
children one teaspoonfull is sufficient. 

lb take out Ink Spots from Linen or Cloth. 

As soon as the accident happens, wet the place with sorrel 
or lemon juice, or with vinegar and the best hard white soap- 
To take Iron Mould or Ink Spots from Linen. 

Dissolve a small quantity of the essential salt of lemons in 
warm rain or spring water, and wet the spot with it repeatedly 
until it disappears. 

To take out spots of Tar and Turpentine from Linen, Cotton, or 

Cloth. 

Pour upon the place a quantity of salad oil, sufficient to satu- 
rate it completely ; let it remain on for twenty-four hours; then 
if linen or cotton, wash it out in strong soap suds, or, if wool- 
len, 
remove the grease. 

An infallible remedy for Whitloes. 

Make a strong lye of vine ashes ; and in this, warmed, let 
the finger soak a good while. To keep up an equal degree of 
warmth, eveiy minute pour into the vessel a little more hot lye. 
Repeat this operation two or three times, and you will soon find 
the good eilect of it. 

Receipts to cure Warts. 

Take the inner rind of a lemon, steep it for four-and-twenty 
hours in distilled vinegar, and apply it to the warts. It must 
not be left on the part above three* hours at a time, and is to 
be applied afresh every day. Or divide a red onion, and rub 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 115 

the warts well with it, or anoint them with the milky juice of 
the herb mercury several times, and they will gradually waste 
away. 

. To prevent Metals from Rusting. 

Mix from one fourth to one fifth of fat oil varnish, with from 
three fourths to three fifths of well rectified spirits of turpentine, 
apply this varnish with a sponge, equally to all parts of the ar- 
ticle, and set it out of the dust. The articles varnished in this 
manner, will retain their metallic brilliancy, and never contract 
rust ; it may also be applied with eflect to copper or brass and 
the preservation of philosophical and other instruments, which 
are liaole to become tarnished by water. The like property is 
in an eminent degree, possessed by the oil of cacao, or where 
that cannot be obtained, the oil of eels. 

Cure for a Felon. 

The cure is said to be Certain, and was published at the par- 
ticular request of a person who had experienced its success for 
many years. The mode he recommends is as follows : 

Take a piece of rock salt about the size of a butternut or 
English walnut, and wrap it up closely in a green cabbage leaf, 
but if not to be had, in a piece of brown paper well moistened 
with water. Lay it on the embers and cover it up as if to 
roast ; when it has been in about twenty minutes take it out 
and powder it as fine as possible- Then take some hard soap 
and mix the powdered salt with it so as to make a salve. If 
the soap should contain but little turpentine, which its smell 
will determine, add some more, but if it smells pretty strongly 
of it none need be added. Apply the salve to the part affected 
and in a short time it will totally destroy it and remove the 
pain. 

A certain cure for a Film or Fleshy Excresence on the Eye. 

Take the white of a new laid egg, into which stir a large tea- 
spoonfull of alum powdered very fine and sifted, until it be- 
comes a curd. Pour this upon a fine Holland or cambrick cloth 
placed over a small bowl, or cup, so as to receive the liquor, 
and leave it to filtrate of itself. The liquor thus obtained, which 
is very limpid and clear, and is seldom more than a teaspoon- 
full, is to be dropped into the eye in small quantities, five or six 
limes in the course of a day, or as often as can be borne- 



116 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

A valuable receipt for destroying Bugs. 

To prevent bugs or insects from harbouring in wood wash h 
with a strong solution of vitriol. To render it more effiencious, 
some coloquintida apples should be boiled in tlie water in which 
the vitriol has been dissolved, and the bedsteads and wood about 
them, and the wainscoating well washed with it, and it will be 
ever after clear of worms and bugs. 

For Sore and Ulcerated Gums, and as a pescrvafkefor the Teeth.. 

Mix an equal quantity of the tincture of Jesuit's bark, and the 
tincture of myrrh. To a spoonful of this mixture add from 
three to five spoonsfull of water, as you wish it to be stronger 
or weaker, but the stronger you can use it the better. Take a 
table spoonfull of this diluted mixture into your mouth, keep- 
ing it there as long as you can, and washing the gum with it as 
well as you are able. Repeat this operation as often as con- 
venient, and you will soon perceive the beneficial effects of it. 
Do not rinse your mouth after it, but let the flavour remain. 

An excellent Lip Sake. 

Take a quarter of a pound of hard marrow from the bone, 
melt it over a slow fire, as it gradually dissolves pour the liquid 
into an earthen pipkin ; then add to it an ounce of spermaceti, 
twenty raisins of the sun stoned, and a small portion of alkanet 
root, sufficient to give it a bright vermilion colour. Simmer these 
over a slow fire for ten minutes : then strain the whole through 
muslin, and while hot stir into it a teaspoouful of the balsam of 
Peru. Pour it out into small boxes, and as soon as it stiffens it 
will be fit for use. 

For the TootJutcht — From a London Magazine for 1811. 

Prepare an infusion of the root of the narrow leafed dock, in 
the following manner : After washing the roots clean, bruise 
them all, and pour boiling water on them in a basin, until they 
are covered. Drink of this freshly made a teacupfull for three 
mornings in succession. Then, every other morning for a week 
or ten days. After which, omit it for nine days, then begin 
anew and proceed as before. It will usually be found to suc- 
eeed after the second course. It is recommended by Mr. Mer- 
rick, who declares that he has derived a permanent cure from 
•fs use. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 11? 

For a Giddiness in the Head. 

Take wild valerian root and misletoe powdered, each an 
ounce, mix these in a mortar, and add to them as much sirup 
of orange peel as will make them into an electuary. 

Take a piece as big as a nutmeg twice a day for some time, 
drinking after it a gill of an infusion of mother of thyme mWe 
like tea. 

An excellent Paste for stopping holes or cracks in iron Culinary 
Utensils, so as to render them perfectly tight. 

To six parts of yellow potter's cla}^ add one part of steel fil- 
ings, and of linseed oil a sufficient quantity to render the mix- 
ture the consistence of glazier's putty and fill the holes with it ; 
this will soon become hard, and resist the actions both of water 
and fire. 

For Indelible Ink. 

Infuse in an ounce of soft water a dram of nutgalls, which 
must be bruised after they have remained a sufficient time for 
the water to extract the colour, strain the liquor carefully, then 
in an ounce of water dissolve ten grains of lunar caustic, which 
add to the infusion of galls. The liquor with which the cloth is 
to be marked is previously to be moistened, consists of a dram 
of kali dissolved in an ounce of water. 

Pressrved Apples. 

Make a sirup of sugar and water, into which put a stick of 
cinnamon, and some orange peel, clarify it with the white of 
an egg, boil it and strain it, then put in the apples whole, pared 
or otherwise, as you like, and stew them over a moderate fire 
till they look clear. 

An excellent Vegetable Balsam for soreness of the Breast, CougJis % , 



Dissolve over a fire one pound of white sugar candy in a. 
quantity of white wine vinegar, say about three pints, until it is 
reduced by evaporation to one pint ; during the operation let 
as much garlic as possible be dissolved with it. This prepara- 
tion will answer all the purpose of Godbold's vegetable balsam, 
and is probably the same. 



113 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

A newly discovered remedy for the Croup or Whooping Cough — 
1813. 

This remedy, which is considered as a specific, has been pro- 
posed in consequence of a premium offered by the French gov- 
ernment. 

This remedy consists of liver of sulphur alkalized ; a sulphat 
of potash recently made and of a brownish colour. It must be 
given mixed with honey or sugar. The dose from the attack 
of the croup to the decided dimunition of that disorder, is ten 
grains every morning and evening, to be lessened as the dis- 
order abates ; towards its close the morning dose only is to be 
given ; the mixture of the sulphat with the honey must be made 
at the very moment of using it. It may be given to' children 
in a spoonfull of milk, or sirup, thinned with water, or as a bo- 
lus ; grown children take it best in this form. It usually gives 
relief in two days, but it must be continued until the cure is 
completed, and often beyond that period for fear of a relapse. 

Panada. 

Boil for not more than two minutes some slices of crumb of 
bread, with a blade of mace in a quart of water ; then, taking 
out the bread and finely bruising it in a basin, mix as much wa- 
ter as will make it of a proper cousistence. Put in a bit of 
fresh butter, grate a little nutmeg, and sweeten it to the palate. If 
wine be required, though it is much the best without, by no means 
boil it with the water and bread. This is a delicate diet for 
weak stomachs. 

An excellent way to preserve Pumpkins. 

Boil and strain them through a sieve fit for pies, put them into 
dishes and dry them in the oven or sun till hard and dry — lay 
them up for use and they will keep for years. When to be us- 
ed, dissolve it in milk and it is as good as when first boiled. 

Cementing with Plaster of Paris. 

Let the Plaster be heated in an iron kettle till all the fixed air 
is out of it ; when cold it must be used in the following manner ; 
dissolve a half pound of glue, add to it two ounces elixir vitirol, 
this is sufficient for five bushels plaster. When you are ready 
to use it, put as much water in a tub or pail as will wet the quan- 
tity, to be used in ten minutes, put a little of the dissolved glue 
and vitriol into the water, then pour in the plaster and keep 
stirring until it is as thick as it will pour — use it immediately. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY- 119 

Cement ivaier proof. 

Take two parts plaster paris to one of good lime, made fine 5 
then with oil to a thin paste. If to stop cracks round chim- 
neys, &c. make it harder, and when dry another coat that is 
thinner. To mend broken marble or earthen, make it quite 
thin and give it time to dry 5 no water can penetrate it. 

To fine Cider. 

To one barrel while sweet, put four table spoonsfull of salt, 
dissolved in cider — in March rack it off into a clean cask, fumi- 
gated with brimstone j this is done by dipping a rag in melted 
brimstone, fasten it to the bung of the cask, set it on fire and 
put it into the cask when half full of cider — after it is burnt 
shake the cask thoroughly, then fill it — take three eggs in a 
quart of milk to settle it, when settled, add one quart of molass- 
es without stirring. 

An excellent way to salt Beef, 

Pound it down tight in the barrel with Liverpool salt, use no 
brine — in twelve days draw off the brine that is made by means 
of a tap at the bottom of the cask, scald and scum it, then add 
half a pound salt petre and two quarts molasses and put it back, 
when cool put no water, keep it light and pull it up as little as 
possible, and it will keep through the year. 

To cure Hams. 

To each ham take one ounce saltpetre, one gill fine salt mix- 
ed with one gill molasses, rubbed all over them, let them lie 
three Weeks without pickle, then smoak and lay them down 
with tow wrapped all round them which will preserve them from 
insects. 



DAIRY. 

The inhabitants of each country are generally acquainted 
with the best mode of managing the butter and cheese of that 
tfoantry 5 but the following hints 'may not be unacceptable- 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

On, the management of Cows, $t. 

Cows should be carefully treated ; if their teats are sore, they 
should be soaked in warm water twice a-day, and either be 
dressed with soft ointment, or done with spirits and water. If 
the former, great cleanliness is necessary. The milk, at these 
times, should be given to the pigs. 

When the milk is brought into the dairy, it should be strain- 
ed and emptied into clean pans immediately in winter, but not 
till cool in summer. White ware is preferable, as the red is po- 
rous, and cannot be so thoroughly scalded. 

The greatest possible attention must be paid to great clean- , 
liuess in a dairy ; all the utensils, shelves, dressers, and the 
floor, should be kept with the most perfect neatness, and cold 
water thrown over every part very often. There should be 
shutters to keep out the sun and the hot air. Meat hung in a 
dairy will spoil milk. 

The cows should be milked at a regular and early hour, and 
the udders emptied, or the quantity will decrease. The quanti- 
ty of milk depends on many causes ; as the goodness, breed, 
and health of the cow, the pasture, the length of time from 
calving, the having plenty of clean water in the field she feeds 
in, &c. A change of pasture will tend to increase it. People 
who attend properly to the dairy will feed the cows particular- 
ly well two or three weeks before they calve, which makes the 
milk more abundant after. In gentlemen's dairies more atten- 
tion is paid to the size and beauty of the cows than to their 
produce, which farmers look most to. 

For making cheese the cows should calve from March to May, 
that the large quantity of milk may come into use about the 
same time ; but in gentlemen's families one or two should calve 
in August or September for a supply in winter. In good pas- 
tures, the average produce of a dairy is about three gallons a- 
day each cow, in summer, and in winter about one gallon a-day. 
Cows will be profitable milkers to fourteen or fifteen years of 
age, if of a proper breed. 

When a calf is to be reared, it should be taken from the 
cow in a week at farthest, or it will cause great trouble in rear- 
ing, because it will be difficult to make it take milk in a pan. — 
Take it from the cow in the morning, and keep it without food 
till the next morning; and then, being hungry, it will drink 
without difficulty. Skimmed milk and fresh whey, just as warm 
as new milk, should be given twice a-day in such quantity as is 
required. If milk runs short, smooth gruel mixed with milk will 
do. At first, let the calf be out only by day, and feed it at 
night and morning. 

When the family is absent, or there is not a great call for 
cream, a careful dairv-maid seizes the opportunity to provide 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 121 

for the—winter-store : she should have a book to keep an ac- 
count, or get some one to write down for her the produce of 
every week, and set down what butter she pots. The weight 
the pot will hold should be marked on each. In another part 
of the book should be stated the poultry reared in one leaf, and 
the weekly sale or consumptiou in another part. 

Observations respecting Cheese. 

This well-known article differs according to the pasture in 
which the cows feed. Various modes of preparing may effect a 
great deal ; and it will be bad or good of its kind, bjf being in 
unskilful hands or the contrary ; but much will still depend on 
the former <^j|limstance. The same land rarely mokes very 
fine butter, ^wd remarkably fine cheese; yet due care may 
give one pretty good, where the other excels in quality. 

When one is not as fine as the other, attention and change of 
method may amend the inferior. There is usually, however, too 
much prejudice in the minds of people, to make them give up 
an old custom for one nevly recommended. 

Cheese made on the same ground, of new, skimmed, or mix- 
ed milk, will differ greatly, not in richness only, but also in 
taste. Those who direct a dairy in a family, should consider in 
which way it can be managed to the best advantage. Even with 
few cows, cheeses of value may be made from a tolerable pas- 
ture, by taking the whole of two meals of mi!k, and propor- 
tioning the thickness of the vat to the quantity, rather than hav- 
ing a wide and flat one, as the former will be most mellow. — 
The addition of a pound of fresh made butter, of a good quali- 
ty, will cause the cheese made on poor land to be of a very dif- 
ferent quality from that usually produced by it. 

A few cheeses thus made, when the weather is not extremely 
hot, and when the cows are in full feed, will be very advantag- 
eous for the use of the parlour. Cheese for common family 
use will be very well produced by two meals of skim, and one 
of new milk ; or in good land, by the skim-milk only. Butter 
likewise should be made, and potted down for winter-use, but 
not to interfere with the cheese as above, which will not take 
much time. 

To prepare Rennet to turn the Milk. 

Take out the stomach of a calf as soon as killed, and scour it 

inside and out with salt, after it is cleared of the curd always 

found in it. Let it drain a few hours ; then sew it up with two 

good handfuls of salt in it, or stretch it on a stick well salted : 

16 



122 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

or keep it in the salt wet, and soak a bit, which will do over 
and over by fiesh water. 

Another ivay. — Clean the maw as above, next day take two 
quarts of fresh spring water, and put into it a handful of sweet 
briar, a handful of rose-leaves, a stick of cinnamon, forty cloves, 
four blades of mace, a sprig of marjoram, and two large spoons- 
full of salt. Let them boil gently to three pints of water ; strain 
it off; and when only milk-warm, pour it on the veil (that is the 
maw). Slice a lemon into it ; let it stand two days ; strain 
it again, and bottle it for use. It will keep good at least twelve 
months, au:l has a very line flavour. You may add any sweet 
aromatic herbs to the above. It must be pretty salt, but not 
bine. A little will do for turning. Salt the \ell again for a 
week or two, and dry it stretched on sticks cross^, and it will 
be near as strong as ever. Dont keep it in a hoi place whea 
dry. 

To make Cheese. 

Put the milk into a large tub, warming a part till it is of a 
degree o.' heat cpute equal to new ; if too hot the cheese will be 
tough. Put in as much rennet as will turn it, and cover it over. 
Let it stand till completely turned ; then strike the curd down 
Several times with the skimming-dish, and let it separate, still 
covering it. There are two modes of breaking the curd ; and 
there will be a diffeieiice in the taste of the cheese, according 
as either is observed ; one is, to gather it with the hands very 
gently towards the side o.'the tub, letting the whey pass through 
tlu- lingers till it is cleared, and lading :t off as it collects. The 
other is, to get the whey from it by nearly breaking the curd ; 
the last method deprives it of many of its oily particles, and is 
therefore less proper. 

Put the vat or ladder over the tub, and fill it with curd by 
JEhe skimmer: press the curd close with your hand, and add 
moie as it sinks; and it must be finally left two inches above 
the edge. Before the vat is filled, the cheese cloth must be 
laid at the bottom ; and when fuli, drawn smooth over on all 
sides. 

There are two modes of salting cheese ; one by mixing it in 
the curd while in tiie tub after the whey is out : and the other 
by putting it in the vat, and crumbling the curd all to pieces 
with it, after the first squeezing with the hands has dried it. The 
first method appears best on some accounts, but not on all, and 
therefore the custom of the country must direct. Put a board 
under and over the vat, and place it in the press : in two hours 
turn it out, and put a fresh cheese-cloth ; press it again for 
eight or nine hours ; then salt it all over, and turn it again in the 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 123 

vat, and let it stand in the press fourteen or sixteen hours : ob- 
serving to put the cheeses last made undermost. Before putting 
them the last time into the vat, pare the edges if they do not 
look smooth. The vat should have holes at the sides and at 
bottom to let all the whey pass through. Put on clean boards, 
and change and scald them. 

To preserve Cheese sound. 

Wash in warm whey, when you have any, and wipe it once a 
month, and keep it on a rack. If you want to ripen it, a damp 
cellar will bring it forward. When a whole cheese is cut, the 
larger quantity should bespread with butter inside, and the outside 
wiped, to preserve it. To keep those in daily use, mo.<st, let a 
clean cloth be wrung out from cold water, and wrap round 
them when carried from table. Dry cheese may be used to 
advantage to grate for serving with macaroni or eating without. 
These observations are made with a view to make the above 
articles less expensive, as in most families where much is used 
there is waste. 

To make Sage Cheese. 

Bruise the tops of young red sage in a mortar, with some 
leaves of spinach, and squeeze the juice ; mix it with the rennet 
in the milk, more or less according as you like for colour and 
taste. When the curd is come, break it gently, and put it in 
with the skimmer, till it is pressed two inches above one vat. — 
Press it eight or ten hours. Salt it, and turn every day. 

Cream Cheese. 

Put five quarts of strippings, that is, the last of the milk, in- 
to a pan, with two spoonsfull of rennet. When the curd is 
come, strike it down two or three times with the skimmmg- 
dish just to break it. Let it stand two hours, then spread a 
cheese-cloth on a sieve, put the curd on it, and let the whey 
drain ; break the curd a little with your hand, and put it into a 
vat with a two pound weight upon it. Let it stand twelve hours 
take it out, and bind a fillet round. Turn every day till dry, 
from one board to another ; cover them with clean dock-leaves, 
and put between two pewter plates to ripen. If the weather be 
warm, it will be ready in three weeks. 

Another. — Have ready a kettle of boiling water, put five quarts 
of new milk into a pan, and five pints of cold water, and five of 
hot ; when of a proper beat, put in as much rennet as will bring 



124 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTOR*. 

it m twenty minutes, likewise a bit of sugar. When come, strike 
the skimmer three or four times down, and leave it on the curd. 
In an hour or two lade it into the vat without touching it; put 
a two pound weight on it when the whey has run from it, and 
the vat is full. 

Observations respecting Butter. 

There is no one ail iele of family consumption more in use, 
of greater variety in goodness, or that is of more consequence 
to have a superior quality, than this, and the economising of 
which is more necessary. The sweetness of butter is not af- 
fected by the cream being turned, of which it is made. When 
cows are in turnips, or eat cabbages, or wild onions, the taste 
is very disagreeable ; and the following ways have been tried 
with advantage to obviate it : 

When the milk is strained into the pans, put to every six gal- 
lons one gallon of boiling water. Or dissolve one ojnee of ni- 
tre in a pint of spring water, and put a quarter of a pint to eve- 
ry fifteen gallons of milk. Or when you churn, keep back a 
quarter of a pint of the sour cream, and put it into a well-scald- 
ed pot, into which you are to gather the next cream - 9 stir that 
well, and do so with every fresh addition. 

To make Butter. 

During summer, skim the milk when the sun has not heated 
the dairy ; at that season it should stand for butter twenty-four 
hours without skimming, and forty-eight in winter. Deposit the 
cream-pot in a very cold cellar, if your dairy is not more so. — 
If you cannot churn daily, change it into scalded fresh pots ; 
but never omit churning twice a-week. If possible, put the 
churn in a thorough air ; and if not a barrel one, set it in a tub 
of water two feet deep, which will give firmness to the butter. 
When the butter is come, pour off the buttermilk, and put the 
butter- into a fresh-scalding pan, or tubs which have afterwards 
been in cold water. Pour water on it, and let it lie to acquire 
some hardness before you work it ; then change the water, and 
beat it with flat boards so perfectly that not the least taste of 
the buttermilk remain, and that the water, which must be often 
changed, shall be quite clear in colour. Then work some salt 
into it, weigh, and make it into forms ; throw them into cold 
water in an earthen pan and cover. You will then have very 
nice and cool butter in the hottest weather. It requires more 
working in hot than in cold weather : but in neither should be 
left with a particle of buttermilk, or a sour taste, as is some- 
times done. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. . 125 

To preserve Butter. 

Take two parts of the best common salt, one part good loaf- 
sugar, and one part saltpetre; beat them ivell together. To 
sixteen ounces of butter thoroughly cleansed from the milk, put 
one ounce of this composition; work it well, and pot down when 
become firm and cold. 

The butter thus preserved is the better for keeping, and should 
not be used under a month. This article should be kept from 
the air, and is best in pots of the best glazed earth, that will hold 
from ten to fourteen pounds each. 

To preserve butter for Winter, the best way. 

When the butter has been prepared as above directed, take 
two parts of the best common salt, one part of good loaf-sugar, 
and one part of saltpetre, beaten and blended well together. — 
Of this composition put one ounce to sixteen ounces of butter, 
and work it well together in a mass. Press it into the pans af- 
ter the butter is become cool ; for friction, though it be not 
touched by the hands, will soften it. The pans should hold ten 
or twelve pounds each. On the top put some salt ; and when 
that is turned to brine, if not enough to cover the butter entire- 
ly, add some strong salt and water. It requires only then to be 
covered from the dust. 

To manage Cream for Whey Butter. 

Set the whey one day and night, skim it, and so till you have 
enough : then boil it, and pour it into a pan or two of cold water. 
As the cream rises, skim it till no more comes ; then churn it. 
Where new-milk cheese is made daily, whey butter for common 
and present use may be made to advantage. 

To scald Cream. 

In winter let the milk stand twenty-four hours, in the summer 
twelve at least ; then put the milk-pan on a hot hearth, if you 
have one ; if not, set it in a wide brass kettle of water large 
enough to receive the pan. It must remain on the fire till quite 
hot, but on no account boil, or there will be a skim instead of 
cream upon the milk. You will know when done enough, by 
the undulation on the surface looking thick, and having a ring 
round the pan the size of the bottom. The time required i& 
scald cream depends on the size of the pan and the heat of the 
fire j the slower the better. Remove the pan into the dairy 



126 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

when done, and skim it next day. In cold weather it may stand 
thirty-six hours, and never less than two meals. 

The butter is usually made in England of cream thus prepar- 
ed and if properly it is very firm. 

To keep Milk and Cream. 

In hot weather, when it is difficult to preserve milk from be- 
coming sour, and spoiling the cream, it may be kept perfectly 
sweet bv scalding the new milk very gently, without boiling,, 
and setting it bv in the earthen dish, or pan that it is done in.— 
This method is" pursued in England ; and for butter, and eating, 
would equally answer in small quantities for coffee, tea fee- 
Cream already skimmed may be kept twenty-four hours if 
scalded without sugar ; and by adding to it as much powdered 
lump-sugar as shall make it pretty sweet, will be good two days 
keeping it in a cool place. 



COOKERY FOR THE SICK. 

General Remarks. 

The following pages will contain cookery for the sick ; it be- 
ing of more consequence to support those whose bad appetite 
will not allow them to take the necessary nourishment, than to 
stimulate that of persons in health. 

It may not be unnecessary to advise that a choice be made 
of the things most likely to agree with the patient ; that a 
change be provided ; that some one at least be always ready ; 
that not too much of those be made at once, which are not 
likelv to keep, as invalids require variety ; and that they should 
succeeed each other in different forms and flavours. 

A clear Broth that will keep long. 

Put the mouse-round of beef, a knuckle-bone of veal, and a 
few shanks of mutton, into a deep pan, and cover close with a 
dish or coarse crust : bake till the beef is done enough for eat- 
in-, with only as much water as will cover. When cold, cover 
it close in a "cool place. When to be used, give what flavqtfr 
may be approved. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. m 

A quick-made Broth. 

Take a bone or two of a neck or loin of mutton, take off the 
fe.t and skin, set it on the fire in a small tin sauce-pan that has 
a cover, with three quarters of a pint of water, the meat being 
first beaten, and cut in thin bits ; put a bit of thyme and pars- 
ley, and if approved a slice of onion. Let it boil very quick, 
skim it nicely ; take off the cover, if likely to be too weak ; else 
eover it. Half an hour is sufficient for the whole process. 

A very supporting Broth against any kind of weakness. 

Boil two pounds of loin of mutton, with a very large handful 
©f sweet herbs in two quarts of water, to one. Take off part 
of the fat. Any roots may be added. Take half a pint three 
or four times a-day. 

A very nourishing Veal Broth. 

Put the knuckle of a leg or shoulder of veal, with very little 
meat to it, an old fowl, and four shank-bones of mutton extreme- 
ly well soaked and bruised, three blades of mace, ten pepper- 
corns, an onion, and a large bit of bread, and three quarts of 
water, into a stew pot that covers close, and simmer in the slow- 
est manner after it has boiled up, and been skimmed ; or bake 
it ; strain, and take off the fat. Salt as wanted. It will re- 
quire four hours. 

Broth of Beef, Mutton and Veal. 

Put two pounds of lean beef, one pound of scrag of veal, one 
pound of scrag of mutton, sweet herbs, and ten pepper-corns, 
into a nice tin sauce-pan, with five quarts of water ; simmer to 
three quarts, and clear from the fat when cold. Add one onion 
if approved. 

Soup and broth made of different meats, are more supporting, 
as well as better flavoured. 

To remove the fat, take it off when cold as clean as possible 5 
and if there be still any remaining, lay a bit of clean blotting 
or cap paper on the broth when in the basin, and it will take 
up every particle. 

Calves 7 feet Broth. 

Boil two feet in three quarts of water, to half ; strain and seJ: 
it by ; when to be used, take off the fat, put a large tea-cupfuJi 



128 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

of the jelly into a sauce-pan, with half a glass of sweet wine, a 
little sugar and nutmeg, and heat it up till it be ready to boil, 
then take a little of it, and beat by degrees to the yolk of an 
egg, and adding a bit of butter, the size of a nutmeg, stir it al- 
together, but dont let it boil. Grate a bit of fresh lemon-peel 
into it. 

Another. — Boil two calves' feet, two ounces of veal, and two 
of beef, the bottom of a small loaf, two or three blades of mace, 
half a nutmeg slicedj and a little salt, in three quarts of water, 
to three pints ; strain, and take off the fat. 

Chicken Broth. 



Put the body and legs of the fowl, after taking off the skin 
and rump, into the water it was boiled in, with one blade of 
mace, one slice of onion, and ten white pepper-corns. Simmer 
till the broth be of a pleasant flavour. If not water enough, add 
a little. Beat a quarter of an ounce of sweet almonds with a 
tea-spoonfull of water, fine, boil it in the broth, strain, and when 
cold, remove the fat. 

Eell Broth. 

Clean half a pound of small eels, and set them on with three 
pints of water, some parsley, one slice of onion, a few pepper- 
corns; let them simmer till the eels are broken, and the broth 
good. Add salt, and strain it off. 

The above should make three half-pints of broth. 
• 
Beef tea. 

Cut a pound of fleshy beef in thin slices ; simmer with a 
quart of water twenty minutes, after it has once boiled, and 
been skimmed. Season, if approved : but it has generally on- 
ly salt. 

Restorative pork Jelly. 

Take a leg of well-fed pork, just as cut up, beat it, and break 
the bone. Set it over a gentle fire, with three gallons of water, 
and simmer to one. Let half an ounce of mace, and the same 
of nutmegs, strew in it. Strain through a fine sieve. When cold, 
take off the fat. Give a chocolate cup the first and the last 
thing, and at noon, putting salt to taste. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 129 

Shank Jelly. 

Soak twelve shanks of mutton four hours, then brash and scour 
them very clean. Lay them in a sauce-pan with three blades of 
mace, an onion, twenty Jamaica and thirty or forty black pep- 
pers, a bunch of sweet herbs, and a crust of bread made very 
brown by toasting. Pour three quarts of water to them, and 
set them on a hot hearth close-covered : let them simmer as 
gently as possible for five hours, then strain it off, and put it in 
a cold place. 

This may have the addition of a pound of beef, if approved, 
for flavour. It is a remarkably good thing for people who are 



Arrowroot Jelly.' 

If genuine, is very nourishing, especially for weak bowels. — 
Put into a sauce-pan half a pint of water, a glass of sherry, or 
a spoonful of brandy, grated nutmeg and fine sugar; boil once 
up, then mix it by degrees into a dessert-spoonful of arrow-root, 
previously rubbed smooth with two spoonsfull of cold water 3 
then return the whole into the sauce-pan : stir and boil it three 
minutes. 

Tapioca Jelly. 

Choose the largest sort, pour cold water on to wash it two or 
three times, then soak it in fresh water five or six hours, and 
simmer it in the same until it become quite clear ; then put lem- 
on juice, wine, and sugar. The peel should have been boiled in 
it. It thickens very much. 

An excellent Jelly. 

Take rice, sago, pearl-barley, hartshorn shavings, each an 
ounce ; simmer with three pints,of water to one, and strain It. 
When cold it will be a jelly ; of which give, dissolved in wine/ 
milk, or broth, in change with other nourishment. 

Panada made in jive minutes. 

Set a little Avater on the fire with a glass of white wine, some 
Sugar, and a scrape of nutmeg and lemon-peel ; meanwhile grate 
some crumbs of bread. The moment the mixture boils up, 
keeping it still on the fire, put the crumbs in and let it boil as 
fast as it can. When of a proper thickness just to drink, laflce 
it oft, 

tr 



130 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Anotlier. — Make as above, but instead of a glass of wine put in 
a tea-spoonful of rum, and a bit of butter ; sugar as above. — 
This is a most pleasant mess. 

Another. — Put to the water a bit of lemon-peel, mix the crumbs 
in, and when nearly boiled enough, put some lemon or orange 
syrup. Observe to boil all the ingredients ; for if any be added 
after, the panada will break, and not jelly. 

Chicken Panada. 

Boil it till about three parts ready, in a quart of Mater, take 
off the skin, cut the white meat off when cold, and put into a 
marble mortar : pound it to a paste with a little of the water it 
was boiled in, season with a little salt, a grate of nutmeg, and 
the least bit of lemon-peel. Boil gently for a few minutes to 
the consistency you like ; it should be such as you can drink 
though tolerably thick. 

This conveys great nourishment in small compass. 

Sippets, when the stomach icill not receive meat. 

On an extreme hot plate put two or three sippets of bread, 
and pour over them some gravy from beef, mutton, or veal, it 
there is no butter in the dish. Sprinkle a little salt over. 



An egg broken into a cup of tea, or beaten aiTd mixed with 
a basin of milk, makes a breakfast more supporting than tea 
solely. 

An egg divided, and the 3-olk and white beaten separately, 
then mixed with a glass of wine, will afford two very wholesome 
draughts, and prove lighter than when taken together- 
Eggs very little boiled, or poached taken in small quantity, 
convey much nourishment ; the yolk only, when dressed, should 
be eaten by invalids 

A great restorative. 

Bake two calves' feet in two pints of water, and the same 
quantity of new milk, in a jar close covered, three hours and a 
half. When cold remove the fat. 

Give a large tea-cupful the last and first tiling. Whatever 
flavour is approved, give it by baking in it lemon-peel, cinna- 
mon, or mace. Add sugar after. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 181 

Another. — Simmer six sheep's trotters, two blades of mace, a 
little cinnamon, lemon-peel, a few hartshorn shavings, and a 
little isinglass, in two quarts of water to one ; when cold, take off 
the fat, and give near half a pint twice a-day, warming it with a 
little new milk. 

Another. — Boil one ounce of isinglass-shavings, forty Jamaica 
peppers, and a bit of brown crust of bread, in a quart of water 
to a pint and strain it. 

Ths makes a pleasant jelly to keep in the house ; of which « 
large spoonful may be taken in wine and water, milk, tea, soup, 
or any way. 

Anotlier, a most pleasant Draught.-- — Boil a quarter of an ounce 
of isinglass-shavings with a pint of new milk, to half: add a bit 
of sugar, and for change a bitter almond. 

Give this at bed-time, not too warm. 

Caudle. 

Make a fine smooth gruel ; strain it when boiled well, stir it 
at times till cold. When to be used, add sugar, wine, and lem- 
on-peei, with nutmeg. Some like a spoonful Gf brandy besides 
the wine ; others like lemon-juice. 

Another. — Boil up half a pint of fine gruel, with a bit of but- 
ter the size of a large nutmeg, a large spoonful of brandy, the 
same of white wine, a bit of sugar, a bit of lemon-peel and nut- 
meg. 

Another. — Into a pint of line gruel, not thick, put, while it is 
boiling hot, the yolk of an egg beaten with sugar, and mixed 
with a large spoonful of cold water, a glass of wine and nut- 
meg. Mix by degrees. It is very agreeable and nourishing. — 
some like gruel, with a glass of table-beer, sugar, &c. with or 
without a tea-spoonful of brandy. 

Cold Caudle. 

Boil a quart of spring-water ; when cold, add the yolk of an. 
egg, the juice of a small lemon, six spoonsful of sweet wine, su- 
gar to your taste, and syrup of lemons one ounce. 

A Flour Caudle. 

Into five large spoonsful of the purest water, rub smooth one 
desert-spoonful of fine flour. Set over the fire five spoonsful 
of new milk, and put two bits of sugar into it : the moment it 
boils, pour into it the flour and water: and stir it over a slow 



132 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

fire twenty minutes. It is a nourishing and gently astringent 
food. This is an excellent food for babies who have weak 
bowels.. 

Rice Caudle. 

When the water boils, pour into it some grated rice mixed 
with a little cold water ; when of a proper consistence, add su- 
<iar. lemon-peel, and cinnamon, and a glass of brandy to a quart. 
Boil all smooth. 

Another. — Soak some rice in water an hour, strain it, and put 
two spoonsful of the rice into a pint and a quarter of milk ; 
simmer till it will pulp through a sieve, then put the pulp and 
milk into a saucepan, with a bruised clove and a bit of white 
sugar. Simmer ten minutes; if too thick, add a spoonful or two 
of milk ; and serve with thin toast. 

To mull Wine, 

Boil some spice in a little water till the flavour is gained, then 
add an equal quantity of port, Maderia, or sherry, some sugar 
and nutmeg ; boil together, and serve with toast. 

Another way. — Boil a bit of cinnamon and some grated nut? 
meg a few minutes, in a large tea-cupful of water ; then pour to 
it a pint of port wine, and add sugar to your taste ; beat it up 
and it will be ready. 

Or it may be made of good home-made wine. 

To make Coffee. 

Put two ounces of fresh-ground coffee, of the best quality, into 
a coffee-pot, and pour eight coffee-cups of boiling water on it ; 
let it boil six minutes ; pour out a cupful two or three times, 
and return it again ; then put two or three isinglass-chips into it, 
and pour one large spoonful of boiling water into it ; bod it five 
minutes more, and set the pot by the fire to keep hot for ten 
minutes, and you will have coffee of a beautiful clearness. 

Fine cream should always be served with coffee, and either 
pounded sugar-candy, or fine sugar. 

If for foreigners, or those who like it extremely strong, make 
only eight dishes from three ounces. If not fresh roasted, lay 
it before a fire until perfectly hot and dry ; or you may put the 
smallest bit of fresh butter into a preserving pan of a small size, 
and when hot, throw the coffee in it, and toss it about until it 
fee freshened, letting it be cold before ground. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 133 

Coffee Milk. , 

Boil a desert-spoonful of ground coffee, in nearly a pint of 
milk, a quarter of an hour ; then put into it a shaving or two of 
isinglass, and clear it ; let it boil a few minutes, and set it on 
the side of the fire to grow fine. 

This is a very fine breakfast ; it should be sweetened with 
sugar of a good quality. 

Clwcolate. 

Those who use much of this article* will find the following 
mode of preparing it both useful and economical : 

Cut a cake of chocolate in very small bits ; put a pint of wa- 
ter into the pot, and, when it boils, put in the above ; mill it off 
the fire until quite melted, then on a gentle fire till it boil ; 
pour it into a basin, and it wilf keep in a cool place eight or ten 
days, or more. When wanted, put a spoonful or two into mil»ty 
boil it with sugar, and mill it well. 

This is a very good breakfast or supper. 

Cocoa 
Is a light wholesome breakfast. 

Milk-Porridge. 

Make a fine gruel of cracked corn, long boiled; strain off; 
either add cold milk, or warm with milk, as may be approved. 
Serve with toast. 

French Milk-Porridge. 

Stir some oatmeal and water together, let it stand to be clear ? 
and pour off the latter ; pour fresh upon it, stir it well, let it 
stand till next day ; strain through a fine sieve 1 , and boil the wa- 
ter, adding milk while doing. The proportion of water must 
be small. 

This is much ordered, with toast, for the breakfast of weak 
persons, abroad. 

Ground-Rice Milk. 

Boil one spoonful of ground rice, rubbed down smooth, with 
three half-pints of milk, a bit of cinnamon, lemon-peel, and nut- 
meg. Sweeten when nearly done. 

Sago. 

To prevent the earthy taste, soak it in cold water an hour y 
pour that off, and wash it well ; then add more, and simmer 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 
gently till' clear, with lemon-peel and spice, if approved. Add 

tinrt£* on^ ctirroi* o»i/-l l-w\»l «-. 11 nn 4 stsw-ttl-tn** 



iluii\ mi uiear, wiiii leuioii-peei an< 
vine and sugar, and boil all up togetl 



ler. 

Sago Milk. 

Cleanse as above, and boil it slowly, and wholly with new 
milk. It swells so much, that a small quantity will be sufficient 
for a quart, and when done it will be diminished to about a pint. 
It requires no sugar or flavouring. 

Asses' Milk, 

Far surpasses any imitation of it that can be made- It should 
be milked into a glass that is kept warm by being in a basin of 
hot water. 

The fixed air that it contains gives some people a pain in the 
stomach. At first a tea-spoonful of rum may be taken with it 7 
but should only be put in the moment it is to be swallowed. 

Artificial Asses' Milk. 

Boil together a quart of water, a quart of new milk, an ounce 
•f white sugar-candy, half an Ounce of eringo-root, and half an 
«unce of conserve of roses, till half be wasted. 

This is astringent ; therefore proportion the dose to the effect, 
and the quantity to what wUl be used while sweet. 

Another. — Mix two spoonsful of boiling water, two of milk, 
and an egg well beaten ; sweeten with pounded white sugar- 
eandy. This may be taken twice or thrice a-day. 

Another. — Boil two ounces of hartshorn-shavings, two ounces 
of pearl-barley, two ounces of candied eringo-root, and one doz- 
en of snails that have been bruised, in two quarts of water, to 
one. Mix with an equal quantity of new milk, when taken, 
twice a-day. 

Water Gi~uel. 

Put a large spoonful of oatmeal or fine indian meal by degrees 
into a pint of water, and when smooth boil it. 

Another ivay. — Rub smooth a large spoonful of oat, or fine 
indian meal, with two of water, and pour it into a pint of boiling 
on the fire ; stir it well, and boil it quick ; but take care it does 
not boil over. In a quarter of an hour strain it off ; and add 
salt and a bit of butter when eaten. Stir until the butter be in* 
corporated. 



COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 13& 

Barley Gruel. 

Wash four ounces of pearl-barley ; boil it in two quarts of 
water and a stick of cinnamon, till reduced to a quart ; strain, 
and return it into the sauce-pan with sugar, and three quarters 
of a pint of port-wine. Heat up, and use as wanted. 

A very agreeable Drink. 

Into a tumbler of fresh cold water, pour a table-spoonful of ca- 
pillaire, and the same of good vinegar. 

Tamarinds, currants fresh or in jelly, or scalded currants or 
eramberries, make excellent drinks ; with a little sugar or not, 
as may be agreeable. 

A refreshing Drink in a Fever. 

Put a little tea-sage, t^o sprigs of balm, and a little sorrel, in- 
to a stone jug, having first washed and dried them ; peel thin a 
small lemon, and clear from the white; slice it, and put a bit 
of the peel in ; then pour in three pints of boiling water, sweet- 
en, and cover it close. 

Another Drink. — Wash extremely well an ounce of pearl- 
barley ; shift it twice, then put' to it three pints of water, an 
ounce of sweet almonds beaten fine, and a bit of lemon-peel t 
boil till you have a smooth liquor, then put in a little syrup of 
of lemons and capillaire. 

Another. — Boil three pints of water with an ounce and a half 
of tamarinds, three ounces of currants and two ounces of ston- 
ed raisins, till near a third be consumed. Strain it on a bit of 
lemon-peel, which remove in an hour, as it gives a bitter taste 
if left long. 

A most pleasant Drink, 

Put a tea.cupful of eramberries into a cup of water, and mask 
them. In the mean time boil two quarts of water with one 
large spoonful of corn or oatmeal and a bit of lemon-peel j 
then add the eramberries, as much fine sugar as shall leave a 
smart flavour of the fruit ; and a quarter of a pint of sherry, or 
less, as may be proper ; boil all for half an hour, and strain ofTl 

Soft and fine Draught for those who are weak and have a Cough. 

Beat a fresh-laid egg, and mix it with a quarter of a pint of 
new milk warmed, a large spoonful of capillaire or noyeau, the 
same of rose-water, and a little nutmeg scraped. Dont warn; 
it after the egg is put in, Take it the first and last thing. 



136 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Toast and Water. 

Toast slowly, a thin piece of bread till extremely brown and 
hard, but not the least black ; then plunge it into a jug of cold 
Avater, and cover it over an hour before used. This is of par- 
ticular use in weak bowels. It should be of a fine brown col- 
our before drinking it. 

Barley Water. 

Wash a handful of common barley, then simmer it gently in 
three pints of water with a bit of lemon peel. 
This is a very pleasant drink. 

Another way. — Boil an ounce of pearl-barley a few minutes to 
cleanse, then put on it a quart of water, simmer an hour : when 
hah" done, put into it a bit of fresh le.non-peel, and one bit of 
sugar. If likely to be too thick, you may put another quarter 
of a pint of water. Lemon-juice may be added, if chosen. 

Lemon-water, a delightful Drink. 

Put two slices of lemon thinly pared into a tea-pot, a little 
bit of the peel, and a bit of sugar ; pour in a pint of boiling wa- 
ter, and stop it close two hours. 

Apple Water. 

Cut two large apples in slices, and pour a quart of boiling 
water on them ; or on roasted apples; strain in two or three 
hours, and sweeten lightly. 

Whey. 

That of cheese is a very wholesome drink, especially when 
the cows are in fresh herbage. 

White-wine Wliey. 

Put half a pint of new milk on the fire, the moment it boils 
up, pour in as much sound raisin-wine as will completely turn it, 
and it looks clear ; let it boil up, then set the saucepan aside 
till the curd subsides, and do not stir it. Pour the whey off, 
and add to kt half a pint of boiling water, and a bit of white su- 
gar. Thus you will have a whey perfectly cleared of milky 
particles, and as weak as you choose to make it. 



G'OMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. lp 

Vinegar and Lemon Wlieys. 

iPour into boiling milk as much vinegar or lemon-juice as will 
make a small quantity quite clear, dilute with hot water to an 
agreeable smart acid, and put a bit or two of sugar. This is less 
heating than if made of wine 5 and if only to excite perspiration, 
answers as well. 

Butter milk with Bread cr without. 

It is most wholesome when sour, as being less likely to be 
heavy 5 but most agreeable when made of sweet cream. 

Sweet Buttermilk. 

Take the milk from the cow into a small churn, in about ten 
minutes begin churning, and continue till the flakes of butter 
swim about pretty thick, and the milk is discharged of all the 
greasy particles, and appears thin and blue. Strain it through 
a sieve, and drink it as frequently as possible. 

It should form the whole of the patient's drink, and the food 
should be biscuits and rusks, in every way and sort ; ripe and 
dried fruits of various kinds, when a decline is apprehended. — 

Baked and dried fruits, raisins in particular, make excellent 
suppers for invalids, with biscuits or common cake. 

Orgeat. 

Beat two ounces of almonds with a tea-spoonful of orange- 
flower water, and a bitter almond or two ; then pour a quart of 
milk and water to the paste. Sweeten with sugar, or capillaiye* 
This is a fine drink for those who have a tender chest ; and hi 
the gout it is highly useful, and with the addition of half an 
ounce of gum arabic, has been found to allay the painfulness of 
the attendant heat. Half a glass of brandy may be added if 
thought too cooling in the latter complaints, and the glass of 
ergeat, may be put into a basin of warm water. 

Orangeade^ or Lemonade. 

Squeeze the juice ; pour boiling water on a little of the peel 
and cover close. Boil water and sugar to a thm syrup, and 
skim it. When all are cold, mix the juice, the mfLs*on, end the 
Syrup, with as much more water as will make a rich sherbet ; 
strain through a jelly-bag. Or squeeze the juice, and stram it, 
and add water and capillaire. 

18 



135 COMPLETE FAMILY DIRECTORY. 

Egg Wine. 

Beat an egg, mix with it a spoonful of cold water ; set on 
the fire a glass of white wine, half a glass of water, sugar, and 
nutmeg. VVhen it boils, pour a little of it to the egg by de- 
grees, till the whole be in, stirring it well ; then return the whole 
into the sauce-pan, put it on a gentle fire, stir it one way for 
not more than a minute ; for if it boil, or the egg be stale, it will 
eurdle. Serve with toast. 

Egg wine may be made as above, without warming the egg r 
and it is then lighter on the stomach, though not so pleasant to 
the taste. 



INDEX. 

ADVICE TO THE PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 

Page, 

AGE, - . - 8 

Anticor or Anticow - - - * 11 

Barbs - - - - - 10 

Breast - - "- - - 11 

Bow-legs _________ 14 

Back and Body - 15 
Circled feet - - - - - -18 

Curb - - - 16 

Canter or Gallop - - - - - 17 

Countenance -..-.- - - - - 6 

Eyes - - - - - -6 

Forging - 17 

Giggs upon the lips. — Gag teeth - - - 10 
Glanders _____ -7 

Hoofs - - - -. - - 13 

Head - - - - - 14 

Lampus - «- - - - - 10 

Legs and thighs - - - - - 11 

Morfoundering - . - - ■ - 7 

Mane - - - • - 14 

Nostrils - - - - - - 7 

JVecfc -- -- -.£- 14 

Osselets - - - - - - 12 

Pastern - - - ____13 

Pole-evil - - - - - - 14 

ficrf'fi Tail ______ 16 

Stable, observations there 5 

Strangles - - - - - - 7 

Splents - - - ___ 11 

Shoulders - - - - - - 14 

Spavins _____ _ 15 

Tottering Legs - - - - - 18 

Walk and Trot in hand - - - - 16 

Walk and Trot mounted - - - - 17 

Windgalls - - - - - 12 

Fives _____ 7 

RECEIPTS FOR THE CURE OF HORSES. 

Examine a lwrse well before you bargain for him - 18 to 22 

Horse Ointment - - - - - 22 



140 INDEX. 

Fag*. 

To cure a clap in the back sinews. — A caution to prevent the 
taking a clap in the back sinews for a shoulder slip - 24 

Baits for broken winded horses, oppression or difficulty of 
breathing - - - 28 

Grease, surfeits, loss of appetite, coughs, Sfc. — Mange, costive, 
scouring, pestilential fever f water for inflamed eyes - 32 

To cure the Farcy - - - - if'. 

Pole-evil and swelled neck — Cordial balls 33 

Gangrene and mortifications, Strangles, Blood Spavin, Quitter. 
Humours in the eyes. — Heat in the mouth - 34 

Grease. — Canker. — Blotches or Imposthumations. — Hounds. — 
Lax or Flux. — Glanders - ... 35 

Strangury. — Dropsy. — Glanders to dissolve, ditto to bring 
away after other things have rotted them. — Ointment for a 
strain in the coffin joint 36 

Ointment for the same. — Broken leg. — Running of the reins. 
Mad Stagger* ... - 37 

Quitter Bone. — To take away a rheum from the eyes - 33 

A bite or stroke in the eyes. — Swelled eye-lids. — Splent. — Spav- 
in, Curb. — Dry husky cough 39 

Worst of colds. — Bloody Flux. — Piss freely. — Vires. — Megrim 40 

Coifs evil. — Bladder in the mouth. — Bloody rifts in the palate. 

ords ...... 41 

To make diapente, — For a strain — Pissing tf Blood. — Pain in 

■tone - - 42 

<•'. '.,.!. — Ordering if Mares of ~er foaling. — For a Mare after 
foaling* — Ordering a Colt after weaning 43 

To provoke lust w Mares. — Cholic. — Ears 44 

Qramps or. convulsions. — Tmposthume.s in the ear - 45 

feeble and. faint} coldness or shivering. — For the Yellows - 46 

Symptoms of the heaves and yellow water. — due for the yellow 
water - 47 

Cure for the Bolts.— Ditto Glanders.— To keep fi is from horses. 
Cure for a strain ----- 48 

Shoeing horses - - 49 

Cure for tlie Heaves - - - 86 

RECEIPTS FOR THE CURE OF OXEN, COWS AND CALVES. 

Examine before you buy. — A general drink for cattle out of 

or>fer. — Murrain or plague - - - - 53 

Loss of appetite. — Back strained or running. Tail - 54 

Flux, lax or scour. — Cough - - - 55 

Kibe - - - - - 56 

Stopping of urine. — Kibe 57 

Lungs. — Hide hound or Gargut - 58 

Lower or lose the cud. — Clue-bound 59 

Galled.— Scab.— Husk ... 60 



INDEX. I4i 

Page* 
Bloody scour or jiux. — Imposihume. Sinew strain. — Inflam- 
mation in the lungs • '. » - - f - 61 
Ointments for a green wound - 62 
tOfthe Haw - - - 63 
''Bite of a mad dog, viper or slow worm. — Falling down of 

palate. — Bruises. Lameness. Shoulder pitched or cup 

sprung. — Shrew bitten ... - 64 
Salve for a wound by a stub or thorn. — Bone broken or mis- 
placed. — Purge. — Breeding of milk. — Rot - - 65 
Swollen cods. — Pissing blood. — Blain - - - 66 
Red water. — Strains in calving. Calf haulm swollen. — Can- 

.not clean. — Swelled or snarled bags. — Calf that scoureth 67 

Feed calves while they suck 68 

RECEIPTS FOR THE CUKE OP SHEEP AND LAMBS, 

Before you buy take care that they be all in good healthy and 
buy no more than your grass will feed. — Tar for the rag or 

scab. Broom salve ... - 69 

Mow to use the Broom, salve. — Skit or loosness. — Rot - 70 

Ticks. — Worm in the feet. — Cough - 91 
Hor<e leech or venomous herb,— ^Murrain* — Red water. — 

Wildfire - - - - 72 

Sore eyes.— Tag or belt—Measles = * - 73 

Blo<>d—Wood-evV.—Dartars - - ... 74 
Loose teeth. — Take care of your lambs after yeaning. — Cutting 

or gelding of lambs. — Flowing of the gall 75 

Itch or scab. — Sta,ggers in lambs or young sheep 76 

RECEIPTS FOR THE CURE OF HOGS. 

Do not buy more than is necessary. — To know mhen in health 77 

Quinsy. — Kernels. — Loathing of meat - - 78 
gktrgut or blood. — Spleen. — Choler - - -79 

Pestilence or plague. — Of Measled swine 80 
Lungs. — gall. — Pox - - . - - - -81 

Swelling under the throat. -r-Bite of a viper or mad dog - 82 

Tremor or shaking. — Staggers. — Murrain and measles - 83 
Sows ivith pig. — Gelding pigs and spaying sows. — Gelding 

Hogs. — To feed hogs for lard. — Bath for the swine pox - 84 
Against vomiting - -- --.-85 

UNIVERSAL RECEIPT BOOK. 

New cure for Jaundice - - - - 87 

German method of preserving Fresh Butter * - ib. 

Lozenges for Heart Burn . - - . 88 

Excellent Catsup •• - - » * #, 



14* INDEX. 

Page. 

Liquid Blacking - - - - 88 104 

Dye for Cotton Yam - - - - - 89 

Cure for the Botts - - - - - ib. 

Cure for tJie Scratches - . _ . ib. 

Sore throat ...... 90 

Lozenges for the Piles .... ib. 

To destroy bugs - - - - - 90 91 

Doctor Stoughton's Elixir .... ib. 

Dutch Beef ------ ib. 

Medicine for shortness of breath - - - 92 

Portugal diet drink for fevers ... #, 

Snuff for tlie lieadache .... ib. 

Cure for St. Anthony's fire ...» ib. 

Saponaceous draught for tlve yellow Jaundice. - - 93 

Speedy remedy for a bruised Eye ... ib. 

To preserve green Pease for winter - , - ib. 

Wash for the Hair - - - - ib. 

Mustard ------ 94 

To cleanse a room from offensive smell - - ib. 

Marmalade for cough or cold - ib. 

To remove spots from woollen ... ib. 

Iron rnoidds - - - - 95 

To take Ink stai7is out of mahogany - - - ib. 

To colour mahogany furnihire - ib. 

Pill for an aching hollow tooth - ib. 

Infallible powder for shortness of breath - - ib. 

Embrocation for the wlwoping cough - - 96 

Speedy cure for a sprain - ib. 

Wash for numbed and trembling hands - - ib. 

To render paper fire proof - ib. 

To render shoes and boots water proof 97 

Excellent custard -------- ib. 

Syrup for coughs, spitting of blood, Sfc. ... 98 

Sage Clieese ------ - - ib. 

Remedy for the Dysentery ib. 

Cure for the cramp - . - - ib. 

Balm of Gilead Oil ... - 99 

Embrocation for the Rheumatism, Palsy, 8fc. - » ib. 

To preserve apricots, peaches, plumbs, Refresh all tlie year ib. 

Art of dying leather gloves 100 

Excellent spruce Beer - - - - / ib. 

To mend Glass and China .... ib- 

House painting witlwut oil - ib. 

To take out spots from prints, Books, Sfc. 101 

Cheap and excellent blue for ceilings, fyc. - - ib. 

Russian mode of painting on walls ... - ib. 

To mend cracks in stoves, pipes, fyc. - - - - 104 

Chinese yellow stain or dye - ib. 



INDEX. 145 

Page* 

Fly water - 140 

Liquid to take out spots or stains of Ink, fyc. - - ib. 

Doctor Willoughbyh celebrated pills - - - - 105 

Remedy for a Whitlow it. 

Dairy secret - - - i - - - - ib. 

Long's Pills for a sick headache - - - - - ib. 

Capital oyster catsup ------- ib. 

Edingburgh Eye water - - - - - 106 

Tincture for the teeth and gums - ib. 

Greek remedy for a weak stomach - ib. 

Composition for removing stains from silk, 8fc. - - ib. 

To preserve Eggs fresh for twelve months - - - ib. 

Beverage for a weak constitution - - - 107 

To secure furs and woollens from moths - ib. 

To purify rancid or tainted Butter .... ib. 

To preserve wood against injury from fi re works - - ib. 

Blackberry powder for the flux - - - 108 

Crimson Dye for woollen cloths and stuffs - - - ib. 

Green Dye for silk ------ . ib. 

Silk Straw colour Dye - - - - 109 

Blue Dye for Silk ----- _ . ib. 

Light purple Dye for silk , - - - - - ib. 

Emulsion for a cough, cold, or hoarseness - - - Ho 

Cure for a pimpled face ----- _ ib. 

'Permanent red Ink - < - - - - _ _ ib. 

Portable Balls for taking spots out of clothes - - ib. 

Remedy for a cow or ox losing the cud - - - m 

Cure for the pants in Cattle - - - - - ib. 

Fining of Cider - - - - - - ib. 

For destroying caterpillars, Sfc. - ib. 

Black writing Ink ----.__ jjg 

To remove spots and stains from any kind of cloth - ib. 

To whiten straw ---_... ^ 

Violet dye for linen ---.-._ j^. 

Cure for corns, fyc. - , - - - - - _ 113 

For the whooping cough - - ib. 

To preserve meat from taint - ib\ 

Cure for colds and coughs - - i . 

To take out ink spots from linen or cloth - - - 114 

To take Iron mould or ink spots from linen - - - ib. 

To take out spots of tar, &c.from linen, cotton or cloth - ib. 

Infallible remedy for Whitloes - ib. 



To cure warts 



ib. 



To prevent metals from rusting - . . U5 

Cure for a felon - - - . • ib 

Cure for a film, &c. on the Eye - - . #] 

To destroy bugs - - . . . j j g 

For ulcerated gums and to preserve the teeth - - - ib. 






144 INDEX. 

Page.' 

Lip salve - - - - - - J 1 6 i 

For the toothache ,b. 

For a giddiness in the head ■ - - 117 

Paste for stopping holes or crack* in iron culinary utensils ib. 

I'i'li (be ink ..... t f u 

Preserving apples - ib. 

Balsam for the breast, coughs. &c. .... ib. 

Newly discovered remedy Jo; Ike croup or whooping cough 1 1 8 

Pa/i ad 1 ...... j/^ 

To preserve pumpkins - ib, 

Cemenltnsc with Plaster of Paris - - - ib. 

Cement, water proof - - - - ]]9 

To fine Crier • - - • - ib. 

To cure Hams .... . ib. 

Dairy.— Observations thereon - - ... ib. 

On the management of Cows, &c. - - 120 

Observations respecting c eese • • - 121 

To prepare rennet to turn the milk - - ib. 

To make cheese - - - • 1 22 

To preserve cheese sound - - • - 1 23 

To moke sage cheese .... ib. 

Cream cheese ----- ?6. 

Observations respecting Butter. To make Butter - 124 
To pre erve Butter. To manage cream for whey Butter 

To scald cream • - - • 1 25 

To keep milk and cream - ... - ] 2Q 

COOKERY FOR THE SICK. 

General Remarks ib. 
Excellent Receipts for all kinds of Broths • 126 to 128 

Beef tea ■ - ' - ■ - ib. 

Jellies - - - • . 128 129 
Panadas - - ~ • - 129 130 

Sippets when the stomach will not receive meat. — Eggs ib. 
Restoratives - - - - 130 ) 30 

Caudles - - - - - 11 132 

To mull wine — To make coffee - - • ib. 
Coffee milk. — Chocolate. — Cocoa. — Milk Porridge. — Ground 

rice milk — Sago - - - - 133 
Sago milk.— Asses' tni Ik.— Artificial Asses' milk.- Water gruel 134 
Barley gruel. — Excellent drinks - - - 135 
Toast and water. — Barley water. — Lemon water — Apple wa- 
ter. — Whey. — White wine nhey. - 136 
Vinegar and lemon wheys — Butter milk, Sweet Butter milk. 
Onccat. — Orangeade or Lemonade - - 137 
Egg wine - - - - - 13$ 



